PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- New York Rangers center Bobby Holik, the team's top offseason acquisition who has missed the last 18 games with a hip injury, is expected to return to the ice Thursday night against the Flyers at Philadelphia.
Holik, 32, a tough, two-way forward, has not played since Oct. 26, but has been skating with the team. Finally, he appears to be ready to play again. He had just one goal and one assist in his first 10 games.
"Bobby's ready to go," said Coach Bryan Trottier, whose team has won consecutive games to reach the .500 mark (12-12-4) for the first time since it was 2-2-2.
In July, the Rangers wooed Holik from rival New Jersey, where he won a pair of Stanley Cups.
The Czech Republic native was expected to be one of the most sought-after unrestricted free agents, especially by the Rangers, who missed the postseason for the fifth consecutive year in 2001-02.
Holik, will be 32 on New Year's Day, was a major reason the Devils made three Stanley Cup Finals appearances from 1995-2001.
He crossed the Hudson River second in franchise history with 198 goals, and third with 463 points.
The 6-4, 230-pounder also is third in Devils history in playoff games (121).
Holik played in 81 games last season, totaling 25 goals, 29 assists, and 97 penalty minutes. He also led the team with four playoff goals.
