Crosby briefly returns to ice

PITTSBURGH, March 14 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby skated Monday for the first time since suffering a concussion in early January, the team said.

Crosby took part in some drills while in full practice gear and was on the ice for about 15 minutes. He said, however, he will still be out of the lineup for some time.

He has missed 29 games since being knocked into the boards during a Jan. 5 game against Tampa Bay. That occurred four days after a shot to the head during a game with Washington.

Crosby, 23, is a four-time all-star selection. He is coming off a year in which he led the NHL in goals and was tied for second in points. In 2007, he was voted the NHL's most valuable player after winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer. He had 32 goals and 34 assists before being injured this season.

The Penguins is in second place in the NHL's Eastern Conference, three points behind Philadelphia.