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Chicago Blackhawk Marian Hossa,, of Slovakia, shakes hands with fans during a red carpet player introduction ceremony before the Chicago Blackhawks home opener hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche in Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney)
CHICAGO (AP) — Marian Hossa, who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL offseason, skated for the first time on Friday since undergoing surgery on his shoulder in July.
Hossa, who had 40 goals last season for the Detroit Red Wings before joining Chicago as a free agent, skated at an ice arena near the United Center. The Blackhawks canceled their team practice on Friday after consecutive games on Wednesday and Thursday.
"So far, I'm happy. I have to work on conditioning on the ice," Hossa told reporters after his workout. The Slovakian star said team doctors were also happy with his progress.
So was Chicago coach Joel Quenneville, whose team has won four straight heading into Saturday's game against Dallas.
"He's really progressing," Quenneville said, adding that he doesn't have an exact date for Hossa to join the team, but that it could be in late November or early December.
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