Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn hit the ice on Tuesday for just the second time since undergoing offseason surgery on both hips.
Benn underwent one procedure in late April and had a second surgery in early May.
“As you guys saw, I wasn’t doing too much out there,” Benn told the Stars’ website. “I don’t think I mixed a crossover in; I was just working on the edges, feeling out the hips a bit and the groins. But it did feel good to be out there.”
Benn, who won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer with 87 points in 82 games, played through pain despite not missing any game action.
Following his second surgery, The Dallas Morning News reported that Benn was expected to resume skating in August.
“I think I am ahead of schedule,” Benn said. “We still have a long time to go here before training camp and the season starts, so I am in no rush. I am going to take it day-by-day, nice and slow. I think the main thing is that I don’t want any setbacks. I am definitely happy with my progress.”
Benn doesn’t expect to miss any regular season action.
“I think October 8 (opening night vs. Pittsburgh) is when I will be 100 percent ready to go,” he said.