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Canadiens’ Bozon back on ice

Kootenay Ice v Kelowna Rockets

KELOWNA, CANADA - DECEMBER 7: Tim Bozon #20 of the Kootenay Ice skates against the Kelowna Rockets on December 7, 2013 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Marissa Baecker

After suffering from meningitis and being placed in a medically induced coma in March, Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon is back where he wants to be, on the ice.

It’s been a long summer for Bozon, who told the Montreal Gazette recently that he had “to do two times more than normal” in order to prepare for the upcoming hockey season.

Bozon spent four weeks in a Saskatoon hospital, then returned home to France where spent another three weeks at a rehab center working on things such as his speech.

“I didn’t see the time go by with all that I did every day,” Bozon told the Gazette of his summer, which has flown by. “I live near the beach and I didn’t go once. So it’s a lot of sacrifices like that. But that’s what had to be done if I wanted to continue to hope and live my dream.”

His hard work paid off as last month as Bozon suited up for France at an Under-23 tournament in the Czech Republic.

Originally a third-round pick of the Habs’ in 2012, Bozon fully expects to be at the team’s rookie camp next month.

The toughest part of Bozon’s summer has been to recover the nearly 40 pounds he lost while in sick, but thanks to his dedication in the gym Bozon is now back to 194 pounds, just five pounds shy of his playing weight of last season.

As for what’s next?

“I just want to be the player I was — even better — have a big season then and see what happens,” Bozon said.

Bozon has one year of junior hockey eligibility left, which means he will likely return to Kootenay of the WHL where in 50 games last season the 20-year-old scored 30 goals and 62 points. There is a chance he could make the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, as well.

Related: Bozon’s condition to improve, but he still ‘faces a long recovery’

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