Written in blue marker on a dry-erase board outside the Rangers locker room was a message from absent coach Tom Renney: “Welcome Back Guys. 24 to Go.”
The dozen healthy Rangers who aren’t at the Olympics returned for a 7 p.m. practice yesterday and skated for an hour, doing laps around the ice for the last 10 minutes. Renney was in Hartford last night, but was to return for today’s morning practice.
“It was good to get back, get a good sweat in and see the boys,” Jed Ortmeyer said. “It’s tough to work on some team stuff. The most important thing is that we are in the best shape possible for when those [nine] guys get back.”
Blair Betts, who has been out since Jan. 7 with a strained left MCL, skated for about 45 minutes with assistant coach Perry Pearn before the team skate. Petr Prucha (strained right MCL) was also at the Rangers’ training facility, and was walking without crutches. There is no timetable for his return.
“As a whole, I think our team is well-conditioned,” Kevin Weekes said. “Coming back, I think the coaches’ eyes are all lighting up with those skating drills at the end.”