Minnesota Wild’s Brock Faber to make season debut just seven weeks after suffering skull fracture

Minnesota Wild defenceman Brock Faber is set to make his season debut seven weeks after surgery for a fractured skull. He was injured when a shot from Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen struck him in the head during the final pre-season game, and his return strengthens a Wild team pursuing the Central Division lead.

Coach John Hynes said Faber would return to situations suited to him while the team manages his minutes. He is expected to play on both the power play and penalty kill. Minnesota held a five-point lead over Nashville in the Central Division before Saturday’s games, despite Faber’s absence; his return will require changes to the defensive pairings.