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McDavid feels ‘pretty good’ after absorbing contact in AHL practice

Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates during a drill at an NHL hockey training camp in Leduc, Alberta, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

AP

Connor McDavid’s road to recovery has been a long one.

The 19-year-old’s missed the last 37 games because of a broken left clavicle, but his return appears to be imminent.

McDavid has already announced that he’s going to return after the All-Star break if everything went according to plan.

During the break, he’s been practicing with Edmonton’s AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. McDavid’s taken his share of bumps in practice and says the injured clavicle has responded well.

“The whole point of this was kind of to take some contact,” McDavid said of his participation in AHL practices, per ESPN. “I was cleared for contact right before the All-Star break, I didn’t have a chance to that with the guys (in Edmonton) so it’s a good chance down here to take some bumps and really battle hard and test it out and see how it feels.

“I’ve already taken a few [bumps] down here and I feel pretty good.”

McDavid’s return date is still up in the air. He’d like to play in the first game back from the All-Star break (Feb. 2 vs. Columbus), but he isn’t sure if that’ll be possible.

“There’s still a process to go through to be cleared to play and I’m going through that now,” added McDavid. “Whether it’s Feb. 2 or not, I’m not too sure right now, but obviously it’s sometime not too long after the All-Star break.”