ST. LOUIS — Dylan Holloway, a forward for the St. Louis Blues, made a triumphant return to the ice Thursday night against Utah. This marked the first game for Holloway since a concerning incident that led to him being hospitalized after taking a puck to the neck in a previous match.
During the morning skate at Enterprise Center, Holloway reported feeling well enough to rejoin the team, prompting head coach Drew Bannister to include him in the starting lineup. Holloway shared the good news, saying, “After speaking with the doctor at the hospital, he advised me to avoid any activity for 24 hours. Other than that, I feel great. All my tests came back normal, and there’s no additional damage—nothing at all. It was the best outcome I could have hoped for, and I feel prepared to get back in the game.”
The injury occurred late in the first period of St. Louis’ recent 3-2 win, when Holloway was struck by a puck shot by Nicholas Paul of Tampa Bay. With just 1:11 remaining in the period, gameplay halted, and players were sent back to the locker rooms early as Holloway was transported off the ice on a stretcher.
Reflecting on that intense moment, Holloway commented, “It was certainly a wild experience. I feel lucky to have had so many people reach out to check on me.” He expressed gratitude for the support from his teammates, coaches, and fans following the incident. Holloway joined the Blues after having played in the Stanley Cup final last season with the Edmonton Oilers.
At the hospital, Holloway experienced dizziness and nausea but reported no lasting issues apart from a bruise at the base of his neck. “I’m eager to move on from this and leave it all behind me,” he stated. “I’m feeling good and thrilled to hit the ice again.”
Bannister noted that Holloway kept up his fitness routine by riding an exercise bike the day before and showing intense effort during the morning skate. “He’s a hardworking player with tremendous energy. He plays an essential role in driving our style of play,” Bannister remarked, adding that Holloway has seamlessly integrated into various positions and has been a strong contributor both offensively and defensively for the team.
Overall, the atmosphere within the team has been highly supportive, and Holloway is ready to make his mark once again on the ice.