There hadnt been much question after he was a full participant in the week-long training camp and Tuesday nights scrimmage against the Providence Bruins, but Claude Julien confirmed that defenseman Adam McQuaid has been cleared to play.
Hes cleared to go, said Claude Julien. I think its easy to say that he looked a little rusty in the scrimmage. But I dont think he was that rusty. I think frustration crept in and that made it worse.
Ive been watching him in practice, and hes been getting better and improving with each day. Hes on the right track. For him its a matter of keeping the game simple. Hes a big body, hes a mean individual and hes a guy that other guys dont want to play against when hes on his game. Hes really an unsung hero in that sense.
The 26-year-old defenseman had his season cut short by a concussion last year that kept him out of the playoffs, and underwent months of rehab during the NHL lockout after October surgery for a blood clot condition. But McQuaid has worked his way back while missing zero time from the lineup, and will be suiting up for the Bruins for a season-opener for the first time in his NHL career.
Last year McQuaid was felled by a virus for the first few games of the regular season, and two years ago he was a healthy scratch while Mark Stuart was still a member of the Bruins. But this time around he shouldnt have anything holding him back after playing a full role in Tuesday nights scrimmage, and even getting into a fight with Providence enforcer Bobby Robins.
For a player that was thought to have long odds of starting the season on time after undergoing major surgery, McQuaid will be back playing his customary role as the strong, stay-at-home defensemen type.