Oskar Lindblom makes unexpected skate following cancer diagnosis (Video)

Oskar Lindblom makes unexpected skate following cancer diagnosis.

Many thought Flyers’ Oskar Lindblom may never return to the ice after being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, an extremely rare cancer that is typically found in the legs and bones of the pelvis. But on Sunday he not only returned but he suited up and skated with the team ahead of their Game 4 match with the Islanders.

The team tweeted a photo of Lindbolm ahead of the actual appearance and coach Alain Vigneault hinted there’d be something to tune into at the start of the game.

“We’re still in the process,” he told media ahead of the game (h/t SportingNews). “Obviously because of the NHL protocol here, I can’t comment on player availability. I would say (to) tune in tonight and find out.”

Lindblom hasn’t appeared in any NHL game in 2020

Lindblom hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since Dec. 7, 2019. Before leaving the team for the treatment he led the team with 11 goals. Despite being out for so long he was added to the roster for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“To be honest, I have no idea,” Lindblom said when asked when he could return to the lineup. “It can take just a couple of weeks, some months, I don’t know yet. We’ll see how I feel when I start skating here for real with the team and we’ll take it from there. I’m not going to stress anything here; just take it slow and see what happens.

“I think it’s a little bit of everything here. I just feel like I need to be strong enough that I can put myself in a situation where I’m good enough to play. I don’t want to be out there if I’m not going to help the team or put myself in a tough spot. As long as I feel ready and my body is strong enough, I think I would put myself out there, but otherwise, I’ll keep practicing and work myself up.”

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