Wild defenseman Faber returns to practice, reflects on fractured skull recovery

Wild defenseman Faber returns to practice, reflects on fractured skull recovery By KSTP Sports Wild defenseman Brock Faber talks for first time since fracturing skull After suffering a fractured skull during the preseason, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is back on the ice. He took part in the morning skate Friday, marking a significant step in a recovery that has moved much faster than many expected. He won’t play Friday night vs. San Jose or Saturday night vs. Tampa. He will travel on next week’s road trip. Just six weeks after undergoing surgery following a frightening injury, Fabe spoke publicly about the ordeal, admitting he never allowed himself to believe a lengthy absence was inevitable. “Not really, honestly,” Faber said when asked if he was surprised by the speed of his return. “I didn’t really let myself think any other way. Obviously, I knew it could be a long period of time, but all the scans and meetings with the doctors were super positive early on. So I’m back. It’s great.” ***Click the video box above to watch Faber talk Friday about his recovery*** The injury occurred when Faber was struck in the side of his head by a puck during a preseason game on Sept. 25. Despite the eventual diagnosis, he said the initial impact felt far less severe than one might expect. “When I got hit, to be honest, it didn’t even hurt that bad,” Faber recalled. “It just felt like a little bruise on your skull.” In fact, Faber remained in the game after the play because he believed nothing was seriously wrong. “I told them actually, ‘I swear, I’m actually good. There’s nothing wrong with my head,'” he said. “I guess I was wrong.” There was little swelling and no bleeding. It wasn’t until a CT scan later that night that doctors discovered the fracture. Faber was immediately hospitalized, underwent surgery, and spent several days recovering at Regions Hospital before being released. The diagnosis came as a shock. “It was really confusing to me,” Faber said. “You’d think a fractured skull would be like, ‘Oh boy, something’s wrong.’ I’ve taken a puck to the ankle that feels 10 times worse and kept playing.” While Faber declined to discuss specific medical complications that occurred after the injury, he acknowledged there were frightening moments and expressed gratitude for the care he received from doctors, nurses, trainers and surgeons. “It could have been a lot worse,” he said. “If I didn’t get the medical attention that I did, who knows? I can’t give enough thanks to them.” The hardest part of the recovery, Faber admitted, wasn’t necessarily the pain. It was doing nothing. The Maple Grove native spent weeks sidelined after a summer of preparation, unable to participate in any physical activity. “Very boring,” Faber said with a laugh. “You train a whole summer, you get to training camp and it’s full go. Then, in the snap of a finger, you’re sitting on the couch for four weeks straight.” Ironically, Faber said he felt physically normal just a few days after surgery, making the inactivity even more challenging. “My body feels normal. My head feels completely normal. I just can’t do anything.” Now back skating and working out for more than a week, Faber is beginning the process of building back toward game shape. Although he feels close, he said he has no intention of rushing his return. “I’m going to take my time a little bit more with this one than maybe I would have in the past, just considering what the injury was,” he said. “The last thing I’d want to do is get back too soon and something else pops up.” As a precaution, Faber is now wearing ear guards attached to his helmet, equipment he admitted he probably would not be using had the injury not occurred. “It would be pretty dumb not to,” he said. Even with the added protection, Faber insists the frightening incident will not change the way he plays. “I love the game too much to let this affect me,” he said. “What’s done is done now. Injuries happen.” Watching from afar has been made easier by the Wild’s impressive start. Minnesota has thrived despite his absence, posting an 11-3-3 record and remaining among the NHL’s hottest teams. “They’re playing really good hockey right now,” Faber said. “Honestly, it makes me feel so good knowing they don’t need me right now. They’re flying around, they’re winning hockey games, they’re playing the right way. That makes me a little less antsy to get back sooner than maybe I’m ready.” For now, Faber is focused on continuing his recovery while enjoying the simple fact that he’s back around teammates after weeks away. “It feels so good,” he said. “I’m just excited to work back into this and get back to where I was.”