Wild star Kirill Kaprizov returns to practice after upper-body injury

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov participated in practice on Wednesday, returning to on-ice activities with the team for the first time since a questionable hit on Jan. 6 sidelined him with an upper-body injury.

Kaprizov suffered the injury off a hit from Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic. In the second period of the Wild-Bruins game last week, Kaprizov was fighting to control a loose puck near the boards. He briefly became tangled up with a Matt Grzelcyk, and didn’t have full control of the puck, when Frederic followed through on a hit, sending Kaprizov into the boards.

Kaprizov was slow to get up and immediately left the ice in visible distress.

The 24-year-old did not return for the third period, being ruled out with what the team called an upper-body injury, and was subsequently put on the injured reserve.

Dean Evason, the Wild’s head coach, chastised Frederic and the Bruins for what took place, describing it as “not a hockey play” and calling for the league to take action.

“Really frustrated with how Kirill got hurt,” Evason said after the game. “It’s a predatory hit. It’s one that the league, we don’t want that. The puck is sitting right there. You know what he’s doing. He’s going to hurt our best player.”

No disciplinary measures were taken against Frederic.

Kaprizov, in his second NHL season, has 14 goals – one of which came against the Bruins – and 26 assists. At the time, the marker extended his goal streak to four games, making him only the second player in Wild history to do so in consecutive seasons, joining Marian Gaborik.

Kaprizov’s pending return is a boon for the Wild as they compete with the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators for the top spot in the Central Division.