Joel Eriksson Ek, the Minnesota Wild’s second-line center, has been confirmed healthy as the NHL season resumes Thursday in Colorado. After sustaining a hard hit during Team Sweden’s intense matchup with Team USA at the Winter Games in Italy last week, Eriksson Ek spent several days resting post-trip in Milan before rejoining Wild practice at the TRIA Rink on Tuesday.
During the Olympic clash, Eriksson Ek was so focused on the game that he barely registered seeing some of his Wild teammates—Matt Boldy, Brock Faber, and Quinn Hughes—wearing opposing uniforms. He later described the occasion as “a little bit weird” when encountering them during warmups before the USA’s 2-1 overtime victory.
Wild Teammates’ Uncertain Travel Plans Amid NHL Resumption
While coach John Hynes is set to return to practice on Wednesday, the travel arrangements for Boldy, Faber, and Hughes remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the trio is expected to arrive in Denver in time for the Wild’s game against the Avalanche. Recently, they were spotted celebrating with Team USA members at a Miami nightclub on Monday night and were invited by President Donald Trump to attend the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday following a postgame phone call.
Wild’s Marcus Foligno joked about the post-Olympic festivities, saying,
“The (Americans) probably injured themselves partying more than on the ice,”
and added,
“But I think it’s great. The first thing I did was went to Ekky and said, ‘How you feeling? Everything good?’ And he said everything’s great, so that’s a huge plus for us.”
Ongoing Recovery for Jonas Brodin Vital Before Full Return
Defenseman Jonas Brodin, sidelined with lower body surgery last month, did some solo skating at practice Tuesday but still faces an uncertain return timetable. Assistant coach Jack Capuano, who conducted recent practices during Hynes’ absence, reported that Brodin is gradually moving toward recovery, saying,
“He’s still quite some time away, but at least he can get out there with us now,”
and
“The surgery went well. Non-contact, then we’ll just assess it nice and slowly and move forward.”
Norway’s Olympic Success Contrasted with Hockey Challenges
Following Norway’s top medal count achievement at the Winter Olympics, Wild forward Mats Zuccarello expressed pride in his homeland’s consistent skiing and sliding sports excellence. Having played for Norway in 2010 and 2014, Zuccarello remarked,
“Then everyone forgets about it, and four years later everyone is surprised when we do it again.”
Despite Norway’s dominance in Winter Olympic medal standings since 2014, and a population comparable to Minnesota’s, the country has struggled in ice hockey, missing qualification for the 2022 and 2026 Olympic tournaments. In contrast, neighboring Scandinavian countries Sweden and Finland have seen more success in hockey. Zuccarello is one of just three Norwegians in the NHL this season.
Implications for the Minnesota Wild as NHL Resumes
Eriksson Ek’s recovery brings crucial depth back to the Wild’s lineup at a pivotal moment in the NHL schedule. While teammates Boldy, Faber, and Hughes will have to overcome travel uncertainties to prepare thoroughly, their eventual return could strengthen the team considerably. Meanwhile, Brodin’s cautious rehabilitation underscores the challenges of rejoining competitive play after major injury. The Wild’s ability to integrate returning players will likely influence their performance as the league’s re-start intensifies, especially facing high-quality opponents like Colorado.
For Wild fans and players alike, the weeks ahead will test resilience, fitness, and team cohesion. Eriksson Ek’s health status offers a hopeful sign that the club can regain stability following an intense Olympic break and maintain momentum moving forward in the NHL season.
