Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm Provides New Information On Injury Setback

The Boston Bruins felt the burden of a tough season without multiple impact defenders for extended stretches.

Hampus Lindholm, who the Bruins also missed on special teams, played just 17 games before a fractured patella from a shot block ended his season.

“Frustrating process going through, especially also not being able to be out there and help the guys out the way the season’s been going since then,” Lindholm told reporters at Warrior Ice Center Thursday, per team-provided audio. “For that aspect, it’s been really frustrating. It’s a process to get back. That’s what I’ve been focusing on, stuff that I can control.”

Lindholm last played for the Bruins on Nov. 12 in St. Louis against the Blues when the injury occurred. The Boston defenseman tried to accelerate his return to the ice due to some structural upside that held up with the injury from the blocked shot. Instead, Lindholm hit another obstacle that kept him out the remainder of the season when Boston missed the playoffs.

“I had some luck within the bad luck when I got the fracture within my knee,” Lindholm explained. “Everything stayed in tact. There’s no long-term worries for my injury. That led to maybe coming back a little too early and pushing it too hard on the ice too early, which made me take some setbacks. Had to go back in and reassess it and take out a little piece that was bugging me from coming back a little too early. Frustrating because I want to be out there helping the team, but that was what the team and the doctors decided with me was best for the long term. With the injury, we knew I was going to heal fully. That made the setback that I couldn’t play the rest of the year with the timing of it.”

Lindholm did feel more comfortable with the current update on his rehab process. The Bruins defenseman continues full-body workouts and hopes to be skating again in mid-May. From returning to his spot on the blue line and spearheading the special teams unit, Lindholm’s motivations are set for the Bruins.

“I’m comfortable with it,” Lindholm confirmed. “I think it’s something you’ve got to earn every night you get out there. That’s how it should be. It’s something I work for every summer to get better at and be able to help the team win hockey game. I think that’s one aspect I’m improving each year.”