Big update today on injured star Elias Pettersson.

Fans of the Vancouver Canucks have been eagerly awaiting an update on the status of young forward Elias Petterson after the breakout rookie sensation was injured several days ago following a questionable move from Florida Panthers' veteran Michael Matheson. The good news is they are nwo finally getting one. 

According to a breaking news report from Sportsnet's Rick Dhaliwal, the young forward made his return to the ice on Saturday for the first time since he suffered what is believed to have been at least a concussion, and perhaps more as well. Pettersson hit the ice which was a very, very, good sign for the Canucks but it's important not to get too overly excited. Dhaliwal is also reporting that there remains a long road ahead of Pettersson prior to him making a return to action, but this is a great first step in the right direction.

It's important to note here that Pettersson only skated on his own during Saturday's morning skate and he was also wearing a no contact jersey which in theory prohibits him from being involved in physical plays that could aggravate his existing injury. Based on the wording from Dhaliwal it sounds like we are talking at least several more days before he makes his triumphant and eagerly anticipated return to the ice. 

Pettersson was injured back on the 13th of October when he was the victim of a relatively clean hit from the Panthers' Matheson. The hit however was not the issue and instead it was the slam that followed that hit that is believed to have left Pettersson in a bad way. The young man was making a play along the boards when Matheson made a b-line for him and delivered the hit that would eventually cause the injury. 

The hit itself was solid but it unfortunately had the added circumstance of knocking Pettersson off balance, something that Matheson took advantage of in the worst way. Driving the full force of his weight down on Pettersson, Matheson slammed Pettersson down to the ice causing his head to bounce off the playing surface is sickening fashion, something that lends credence to theory that he is dealing with a concussion.

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