For the first time in nearly three years, Gabriel Landeskog had fresh game footage to review—this time of himself hitting players, taking hits, getting penalized, and even putting an opponent in a headlock. The Colorado Avalanche captain, who has been out due to a knee injury, made his return to the ice with the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League.
Landeskog, currently on loan to the Eagles for a conditioning assignment, played in his first professional game since 2022. He suited up Friday night, joining the Eagles for their matchup against the Henderson Silver Knights. Before the game, Landeskog skated in pregame drills, where he was greeted by cheers and chants of “Landy, Landy, Landy” from the crowd. The excitement continued throughout his brief appearance, with fans applauding after his first shift, which lasted about 46 seconds, and even when he was sent to the penalty box.
“It was exciting,” Landeskog said after the Eagles’ 2-0 victory, where he played just under 15 minutes. “I’m excited about what the future looks like for me.”
Landeskog’s return was also met with warm words from several Silver Knights players. One player remarked, “It’s great to have you back,” before a faceoff. “It’s what makes this game so great,” Landeskog reflected. “You go out and put somebody in a headlock, and then the next faceoff, somebody says something nice to you. It’s pretty cool.”
This milestone event also drew a lot of attention, with tickets for the game priced around $200 and Landeskog’s new Eagles No. 92 jersey becoming highly sought after by fans. Landeskog, who was instrumental in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory, has been sidelined due to knee surgery and rehabilitation.
If his time with the Eagles goes well, Landeskog could be ready for the Avalanche’s first-round playoff series. The Avalanche have already secured the No. 3 seed in the Central Division and will begin their postseason on the road. Landeskog, who has been a near point-a-game player in six playoff runs, remains cautious but hopeful about his progress.
“I have high expectations of myself,” he said, but he also noted, “I’m realistic in knowing what I’ve gone through and how much time has been missed.”
Landeskog’s journey back to the ice has been long and challenging, with his knee injury stemming from a cut during the 2020 playoffs. He underwent a cartilage transplant procedure in May 2023, which has helped him make this comeback. His recovery process is also chronicled in a documentary series, A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog, airing on TNT and TruTV.
“I never thought this was going to get this big and get this much attention,” Landeskog admitted. “I was just trying to fight my way back, and here we are.”
For now, Landeskog is focused on continuing his recovery and soaking in the support from his fans, teammates, and the entire hockey community.
