Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who has missed the entire season as well as the latter half of last year with a broken heel, issued an update on his recovery.
"I've been working with Raleigh Orthopaedic throughout this season with the hope of returning to play hockey. There is no timetable as of now, but I've been making progress with my rehab and it remains my goal to resume my professional hockey career," Pitkanen revealed in a Thursday statement. "It's been frustrating to be away from the ice, but I want to thank all of the people who have expressed support throughout the season."
Pitkanen has not suited up since April 2, 2013, when he suffered a broken left heel in a game against the Washington Capitals. He revealed back in September that recovery from the injury and subsequent surgery would cause him to miss the entire 2013-14 campaign.
The 30-year-old native of Finland has totaled 57 goals and earned 225 assists in 535 career NHL regular-season games with Philadelphia, Edmonton and Carolina since breaking into the league during the 2003-04 season.
