Locmelis says shoulder is fully healed ahead of Bruins camp
Six months after surgery, the Providence forward says he has felt fully healthy for two months and is ready for Boston's training camp.
Dans Locmelis says he is back to full health ahead of Boston Bruins training camp. The 22-year-old forward underwent shoulder surgery in March with a projected six-month recovery and said he has felt 100 percent for the past two months.
Locmelis described the mental side of rehabilitation as the hardest part of his first major injury. While teammates practised and travelled, he spent long stretches working in the gym and trainers' room. He used the downtime to read about finance, investing and real estate.
The surgery followed a productive stretch in which Locmelis scored two power-play goals for Latvia in an upset of Germany at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Before the injury, he recorded 15 goals and 13 assists in 42 games with Providence.
Locmelis returned at Boston's prospects showcase, scoring in a 6-2 win over Buffalo's prospects and adding two assists in a 4-3 overtime victory in the second game. He said he was able to play without thinking about the shoulder.
Providence coach Trent Whitfield described Locmelis as a hard-working, two-way player who competes physically and can make plays in small areas.
The 2022 fourth-round pick is entering his second full professional season after two years at UMass. Boston's training camp opens Sept. 16 at Warrior Ice Arena.
