Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear will return to the lineup for the first time in seven games against the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced ahead of Saturday’s game.
Bear, 25, has been sidelined since February 25 after taking a puck to the face against the Boston Bruins. He sustained a hairline fracture and concussion from the injury, according to Sportsnet’s Iain McIntyre.
Bear was acquired by the Canucks in October from the Carolina Hurricanes and has since made an impact with his new club, logging top-four minutes. He has scored three goals and 14 points in 46 games this season.
Canucks lose a regular blueliner in Tyler Myers, though, who did not participate in warmups against the Kings. He will not play for undisclosed reasons.
Myers, 33, has one goal and 11 points in 64 games for the Canucks this season.