Canucks’ Hronek set to return from injury against Jets

After a slew of injuries this season, the Vancouver Canucks will finally have all their stars healthy and back in the lineup.

Defenceman Filip Hronek will make his return from injury on Tuesday night when the Canucks face the Winnipeg Jets to close out their road trip.

“Yeah, I think he’s gonna go tonight,” said head coach Rick Tocchet at the team’s morning skate. “He’s worked really hard, had a lot of skates, tested himself very hard the last seven days. So he’s ready to go. He wants to play, so I’m not going to keep him out.”

Hronek has been sidelined since suffering an injury on Nov. 27 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Canucks announced that the 27-year-old underwent a lower-body procedure on Dec. 3, for which the recovery time was estimated to be eight weeks.

The Czech was sent on a conditioning assignment to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks last week and rejoined the NHL squad on Monday in Winnipeg.

Playing in his second full season with Vancouver, Hronek has one goal and eight assists in 21 games and has served as the primary defence partner for captain Quinn Hughes. He notched career highs in assists (43) and points (48) last season.

As a result of his entry into the lineup against the Jets, fellow defenceman Guillaume Brisebois will draw out. According to Tocchet, Hronek will return to his pairing with Hughes, but his minutes will be monitored.

Hronek was acquired by the Canucks in March 2023 from the Detroit Red Wings, who selected him 53rd overall in 2016. He signed an eight-year, $58 million contract to remain with the Canucks last off-season.