News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Say this about rookie forward Zach Boychuk: the kid is a fast healer.

The Canes' first-round draft choice had a pin removed from his
surgically repaired left wrist last week and said then he might be "on the shelf" for two weeks. But he was in practice Thursday, skating, stickhandling, shooting the puck.

Boychuk said he could be cleared for contact work on Monday and possibly could play when the Canes go to the West Coast next week to face the L.A. Kings (Oct. 17) and Anaheim Ducks (Oct. 19).

"I've been trying to hurry up as fast as I can," Boychuk said. "I wanted to play last week. But I can wait until Monday to get cleared and hopefully take part in contact, and if all goes well I'd love to play in L.A. That's kind of the plan."

Boychuk had wrist surgery in July, with Dr. George Edwards of
Raleigh handling the procedure. After the pin was removed by Edwards, Boychuk said it was a matter of how quickly the incision would close before he'd be allowed to rejoin practice.

"On Monday, the cut closed up enough so I could go out and stickhandle a little bit," he said. "It was feeling really good, so there was another call to Dr. Edwards and he said go ahead and shoot a little bit (Wednesday).

"That felt good so I decided to go out with the team today and take part in all the shooting drills. It feels good to get back on the ice with the guys and kind of get used to my timing after a week off."

Boychuk saw some time on Eric Staal's line with Patrick Eaves during practice when winger Ray Whitney took a break. He said he played mostly left wing in junior hockey and would be comfortable on the right wing, if needed.

After injuries to Justin Williams and Scott Walker, there's a need.

"Hopefully I can fit in here somewhere in the lineup against L.A.," he said.