Forward
Jesse Winchester isn't taking anything for granted, but the fact that the Avalanche forward is feeling good about his ability to play this season is definitely a step in the right direction.
Winchester, who turns 32 next month, managed to get through the first day of official on-ice workouts Friday without any apparent problems after missing the entire 2014-15 season because of concussion issues.
"It feels great," he said. "I'm looking forward to putting last year behind me. It was good to get back in the swing of things. A lot of hard work out there and up-tempo, it's a great start. It was good to work hard and feel that burn and know you can still do it.
"I'm happy to have my life back and feel good and do what I love."
Winchester, who is 6-feet-1 and 205 pounds, signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract as a free agent on July 1, 2014 and was expected to provide solid depth on the third and fourth lines as well as kill penalties. He had a career-high nine goals and a career high-tying 18 points in 52 games in 2013-14 with Florida, when he missed time because of a broken hand, a three-game suspension for elbowing and a groin injury.
When Winchester sustained a concussion in a preseason game in Calgary a year ago, he thought he'd return to the lineup in a week or two, but it never happened even though he was able to practice later in the season, most of the time at Family Sports. Bright lights at the much larger Pepsi Center caused Winchester problems.
"As it became more and more drawn out, it's natural to kind of question where you are, but I'm pretty stubborn," he said. "It was hard, but I had great help from many doctors and I just wanted to stay positive and get better and thankfully I'm in this position now where I feel pretty good and I'm looking to do what I can.
"I felt better in pieces for a long time. I guess time, that's all I can relate it to. I felt good in the summer, probably mid-July when I started building to push myself where I need to be. Just kept working at it and trying to put it behind me. The reality is it's a work in progress."
Winchester and coach
Patrick Roy should have a better idea about his progress Saturday when the plan is for him to scrimmage with the younger players. The Avalanche divided into three groups and did a lot of drills and system work Friday. There will be two groups Saturday, Roy said, with a scrimmage on one sheet of ice while the "vets from last year" practice on the other.
"He looked OK today," Roy said of Winchester. "It's too bad what happened last year in Calgary. Unfortunately for him he was incapable of helping the team. He wanted to do it so bad. He's a great team guy and I'm sure he's pretty excited to be here right now and feeling better. It's going to be a day-by-day situation with him to see how it evolves.
"We missed him a lot last year. He was part of our depth. It's like having a new player, basically, if he's healthy this year."
Winchester said the support he's received from management, the coaches and teammates since the injury has been invaluable.
"The team's been great, the guy's have been great," he said. "I haven't played a regular-season game with them and it's hard to always feel a part of the group, but they're stand-up guys and it's a pleasure to be around them. You live to be out there battling with the guys, pushing yourself, going up against the best. To be able to do it is special, and I'm thankful."
One thing Winchester won't do, he said, is worry about getting hurt again.
"There's nothing in my mind," he said. "I think most guys are like that when you come back from something. You're in the moment and you don't think about anything except being the best you can be. I'm ready for whatever happens and just fortunate to be in a position to battle."
The ultimate goal is to be in the lineup Oct. 8 when the Avalanche open regular-season play against Minnesota at the Pepsi Center.
"I'm just excited to be back in the mix. I've put in the work, done all I can do," he said.
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