Rucchin’s Almost Ready to Return

For Mighty Duck center Steve Rucchin, the Olympic break is the start of his countdown.

Rucchin has missed 44 games because of a stress fracture in his left ankle, which required surgery. But he said he will return after the break and play when the Ducks face Minnesota on Feb. 27.

“The ankle is still pretty tender right now, so I definitely wouldn’t be back the next couple of days,” Rucchin said. “But looking at two weeks, there is no question I’ll be back within a couple of weeks.

“This definitely gives me something to look forward to. I have been pretty excited to skate with the ‘A’ club, I guess, the last few days. It’s been a while, I could use this week, let things settle down a little more, then get raring to go in what will be a mini training camp after the break.”

Rucchin missed 66 games because of injuries last season and his contract is up after this season. The Ducks have 21 games remaining to evaluate Rucchin.

“I don’t think I need to prove anything,” Rucchin said. “I can’t put too much pressure on myself. It takes a little while to get back to game playing shape.”

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Calgary goalie Roman Turek pulled out of the Olympics on Wednesday. Turek, who was to back up Dominik Hasek for the Czech Republic, said he needs to recover from chronic injuries.

Chris Foster