Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper is back on the ice after a scary neck injury sustained against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old netminder, a key member of Canada’s Olympic roster, returned to practice on Thursday following the incident on Tuesday. Kuemper described the hit as pinching nerves in his neck, causing him to lose feeling in his arm.
Cleared for action well ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, Kuemper is set to join the Kings’ upcoming road trip. This comes as relief for both the team and Team Canada, where he joins fellow goalies Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson on the 25-man squad.
Details of the injury
The injury occurred late in the first period of the Kings’ game against the Rangers. New York forward Jonny Brodzinski collided with Kuemper in the crease, striking the side of his neck. “Yeah, kind of got hit on the side of my neck, and it pinched my neck and pinched the nerves, and my arm went dead,” Kuemper said after practice.
Kuemper attempted to shake it off but was pulled from the game as a precaution. Anton Forsberg replaced him between the pipes. Further testing on Wednesday confirmed no serious damage, allowing his quick return.
This isn’t Kuemper’s first brush with injury this season. He missed six games in December due to an upper-body issue after Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen hit him in the head on December 15. The Saskatchewan native has shown resilience throughout his career.
The NHL’s physical nature often puts goalies at risk in crease collisions. Kuemper’s case highlights the importance of immediate medical evaluation.
Path to recovery
Kuemper woke up feeling improved on Wednesday morning. Additional examinations cleared him for contact and the road trip starting Saturday in St. Louis against the Blues. The six-game swing coincides with the Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena.
His rapid recovery is a testament to modern sports medicine. “Wasn’t allowed to come back in until we did some further testing yesterday,” Kuemper noted, emphasizing protocol adherence.
Practice sessions have gone smoothly, with Kuemper facing shots without issue. Teammates report he looks sharp.
The Kings’ training staff deserves credit for prioritizing his health ahead of a busy schedule.
Olympic roster spotlight
Kuemper earned a spot on Canada’s roster alongside St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington and Washington Capitals’ Logan Thompson. As a first-time Olympian, he is projected as the third goaltender behind the duo.
Canada has dominated Olympic gold medal play with NHLers, winning the last two tournaments. The Milan Cortina Games run next month, promising intense competition.
- Canada’s goalies:
- Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues)
- Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals)
- Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings)
Kuemper’s experience includes a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. His selection underscores his veteran status.
For the latest on Olympic rosters, check the tracker on Sportsnet.
Kings’ performance this season
Kuemper holds a 12-9-9 record in 32 games, posting a 2.52 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. These numbers anchor the Kings’ goaltending tandem.
The team relies on his consistency during a competitive Pacific Division race. His return bolsters depth for the road trip.
Previous injuries tested the Kings’ backup options. Forsberg’s readiness proved vital.
Kuemper’s 14-year NHL tenure brings leadership to the crease.
Olympic venue preparations
As Kuemper eyes his Olympic debut, preparations at the Milan Cortina venues intensify. The IOC has expressed satisfaction with progress at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, easing concerns over timelines.
Organizers face tight deadlines, with no backup plan in place. Recent test events have validated ice quality and operations, crucial for NHL stars like Kuemper.
The arena’s readiness remains a focal point, as detailed in ongoing updates. Smooth execution will ensure top-tier play.
These developments align perfectly with roster announcements.
Kuemper’s timely recovery positions Canada strongly. For full details on his clearance, see the ESPN report.
His presence strengthens both the Kings’ playoff push and Canada’s gold medal defense. Expect Kuemper to play a backup role in Italy while contributing steadily in Los Angeles. Fans can look forward to an exciting finish to the NHL season and Olympic showcase.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.