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Jovanovski First Ever To Return From Hip Resurfacing

January 3, 2014, 11:31 PM ET [33 Comments]
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The last game Panther captain Ed Jovanovski played in was in March. His troubled hip was so bad he could no longer take the NHL grind. Rumors swirled it might be over for Jovo Cop and his illustrious 18 year career might be over.

But he wasn't ready to quit.

After a painful and arduous process to get back to NHL-ready, Jovanovski will play in his first game since having hip resurfacing surgery in April. The 37-year-old still is young at heart, and is eager to once again lead his team that is on a roll.

Dylan Olsen, the promising defenseman acquired in the the Kris Versteeg trade, was put in IR retroactive to Dec. 31st, opening up the spot for Jovanovski to resume his role. It is expected that Alex Petrovic will be sent back down to San Antonio when Olsen returns. That is unless Erik Gudbranson returns first from orbital bone surgery. He is expected to be out a few more weeks.

According to Wikipedia, this is the description of hip resurfacing: "Hip resurfacing has been developed as a surgical alternative to total hip replacement (THR). The procedure consists of placing a cobalt-chrome metal cap, which is hollow and shaped like a mushroom, over the head of the femur while a matching metal cup (similar to what is used with a THR) is placed in the acetabulum (pelvis socket), replacing the articulating surfaces of the patient's hip joint and removing very little bone compared to a THR. When the patient moves the hip, the movement of the joint induces synovial fluid to flow between the hard metal bearing surfaces lubricating them when the components are placed in the correct position. The surgeon's level of experience with hip resurfacing is most important; therefore, the selection of the right surgeon is crucial for a successful outcome."

George Richards of the Miami Herald reports that the last player to undergo this procedure in the NHL was Tim Taylor of the Lightning back in 2007. He was the same age as Jovanovski and never played another game. Jovanovski is going to be the first player in the 4 major sports to play again after such a procedure.

Sadly many Panther fans were fine with him never playing another game in Florida, and have said as much today as the news was released. But the players in the locker room are ecstatic and in the end that is all that matters. If he gives more of a spark for this hot team while being a stern voice it can only bode well for the organization moving forward.

Jovanovski has never shied away from being tough and gritty on the ice, and GM Dale Tallon can never have enough of that on a squad he is trying to make very tough to play against. With the size of the trees he's assembling in South Florida Jovo is going to be a welcomed mentor as he finishes his career.

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