EVERETT — Martin Fasko-Rudas isn’t the type of person that’s going to pout or feel bad for himself.
But the Everett Silvertips forward would be lying if he told you missing the first 11 games of the season while recovering from an offseason surgery wasn’t difficult for him.
That painstaking wait is expected to end on Friday for the Slovakian import, as Fasko-Rudas is set to make his season debut against at Vancouver, according to Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson.
“Oh, it was actually annoying a little bit,” Fasko-Rudas said of his recovery. “But I want to play hockey more (after this year), so it might be good for me. It was a long time without hockey, but I can’t wait (to be back).”
The Silvertips lead the U.S. Division with an 8-3-0 record despite being without Fasko-Rudas, who was expected to play a key role as a 19-year-old.
The Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, native, who scored 31 points last season, can chip in offensively five-on-five and on the power play as a net-front presence and is a tenacious forechecker. There’s some anxiety joining a team that’s had so much success without him, but Fasko-Rudas reiterated his excitement.
“They’re playing good, so maybe coach doesn’t want to change something,” Fasko-Rudas said. “But yeah, we’re playing good. That’s good and I’m excited to play with the boys again.”
Christiansen makes season debut, but situation unclear
Twenty-year-old defenseman Jake Christiansen made his professional debut with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat on Saturday and recorded one shot on goal. Christiansen remains on a professional tryout with the Heat, but hasn’t signed a professional contract yet. His situation remains in limbo, but the Silvertips would have 14 days to make a decision on their surplus of overagers if he’s returned, even though the Oct. 10 deadline to trim 1999-born players on roster to three has passed.
Mitchell returns to ice
Conrad Mitchell skated with the Silvertips on Monday and was a full participant after missing the past seven games with an upper-body injury. The 2001-born forward was upgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day.
Wright out
After leaving Saturday’s win over Prince Albert with an injury, Jacob Wright is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He was on the ice on Monday, but wore a red non-contact jersey and didn’t participate in any drills.
Alumni spotlight
Eetu Tuulola (2016-2017) has four points (three goals, one assist) in six games in his rookie season in the AHL with the Stockton Heat.
Josh Horton covers the Silvertips for the Herald. Follow him on Twitter, @joshhortonEDH
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