Yanni Gourde returns for Lightning after June hip surgery

Yanni Gourde played his first game of the season Sunday in Winnipeg, five months after undergoing Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward took one shot and recorded three hits in 15:41 of ice time in a 4–3 loss to the Jets.

Gourde, 34, had surgery June 8 in New York. The Lightning said his initial recovery timetable pointed to mid-December. He started skating again nine weeks after the operation, then worked with Tampa Bay’s player development staff in September to adjust his stride.

Gourde played all 82 regular-season games and all seven playoff games for the Lightning last season. Tom Mulligan, Tampa Bay’s head athletic trainer, told the team’s website that limited movement and pain in Gourde’s hip had made everyday activities difficult.