Flyers Nolan Patrick Takes Big Step Forward In His Recovery

The Philadelphia Flyers entered training camp with one of the best center corps in the NHL. Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, & Nolan Patrick looked like a three-headed monster that would be hard to defend against. But, on the first day of training camp, that would all change.



On that day, GM Chuck Fletcher would reveal the diagnosis of Nolan Patrick’s injury that made him miss day 1 of training camp. A diagnosis that was scarier and more serious than anyone could have ever imagined.

 

“After consultation with the Flyers’ medical staff and with specialist Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher from the University of Michigan, forward Nolan Patrick has been diagnosed with migraine disorder.”

 

The initial report from Chuck Fletcher was week-to-week for Patrick. With doctors visits and re-evaluations every couple of weeks. But, week-to-week has now turned into month-to-month.




In December, Nolan Patrick spoke to the media for the first time since being diagnosed. In that interview, you could hear the gut-wrenching pain in Patrick’s voice to what he was going through.

 





Since that interview, Chuck Fletcher has added more fuel to the fire about a possible return for Patrick sooner rather than later. On January 14th, Fletcher gave what has become his monthly update of Patrick and his progress. But, Fletcher added one more addition to the usual answer.

 

“I do expect him to play this year. That’s just my guess. He’s been skating harder. He skated again today, getting his heart rate up higher. I think he’s feeling a bit better. And again it’s hard to predict. I can just tell you from the on/off-ice workouts, he is progressing.”

 

With Fletcher’s comments about his belief that Nolan Patrick would play this season, fans have been watching very closely for any update or sign of Patrick. Today, they got just that.




For the first time this season, Nolan Patrick practiced with his teammates today during a full-team skills practice. This is a huge step in the right direction for Patrick because of his comments back in December.

 

During that interview, Patrick stated his first step back would be practicing with his teammates and getting back into the flow of team activities. Though Nolan Patrick has still yet to be cleared for contact, today was a big accomplishment in his recovery.

 

Today was just day 1. Nolan Patrick isn’t going to just magical return from just one skills practice. But, it is a start. The fact that Nolan Patrick went throw a full practice is a huge step in the right direction. However, caution needs to be used here.



Head injuries is not something you want to take lightly. Don’t expect Patrick to play in the orange and black any time soon for a multiple of reasons. But, his migraines should be priority number one.

 

While Patrick has been working on the ice by himself, Nolan still needs to shake off some rust and get back to the motions of the NHL. It has been almost 10 months since Patrick has practiced or played. Not to mention, Patrick has to learn a whole new system from new head coach Alain Vigneault.

 

It has been a long way back for Nolan Patrick and a long way still to go. But, it looks like the first step in his recovery and return to the ice is off and running.



By Brandon Sommermann | February 5, 2020