'It's good to be back': Blackhawks center Dach has no regrets about playing in World Juniors

No big deal. When can I get back out there?

Those were two of the first thoughts Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach had in the moments after he ran into a Russian player during a World Junior Championship exhibition game last December.

After impact, Dach immediately removed his glove, hunched over a bit and retreated to the dressing room. Dach figured it would be a quick examination and that he'd be back on the ice in a matter of moments.

But that wasn't at all the case.

“When it first happens, you kind of just go back,” Dach said Wednesday after skating with the Hawks' taxi squad in Dallas. “I didn't even know if it was my wrist. ... You kind of look at the doc and just tell him basically, 'Fix this so I can go out there next shift and continue playing.'

“Once I really looked at it and took a second glance, there was obviously something really wrong with it. The doctors kind of crowded around me and we figured something out from there. It didn't really sink in until the next day.”

By then Dach knew surgery was necessary for his fractured wrist and that he'd need months to rehab. Now, with the season halfway over, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as Dach has recently been able to take part in drills with some teammates.

Full contact practices are a ways off, however, and a return to game action doesn't seem likely until at least mid-April. A four- to five-month time frame was given after the Dec. 28 surgery.

“It's good to be back,” Dach said. “It's been a long time coming.”

Coach Jeremy Colliton isn't surprised by Dach's positive attitude, noting: “He wants to be a top dog. When you face adversity you can let it get the best of you or you can fight through it and come back stronger. That's his focus.”

Although the Hawks are off to a surprising 13-9-5 start, there's little doubt they still miss Dach. The up-and-coming center would be playing a pivotal role as a top-six center, and he'd be on the power play and the penalty kill as well.

Still, the 20-year-old has no regrets about representing Canada in one of the year's most prestigious tournaments.

“It's the game of hockey. I could've gotten hurt in the summer skating with my buddies,” said Dach, who was named the squad's captain. “I guess (I'd) say a thank-you to Stan (Bowman) and the management group and everybody that was involved in that decision to let me go play. They didn't have to.

“As a Canadian kid you grow up dreaming about playing for that team, and it's even better you to wear the 'C.' ”

Dach is working on the mobility and strength in his wrist, making sure to take “all the right steps to get me back to 100 percent.” He's also getting back into shape and trying to become fully confident in his stride on the ice.

Although the injury will cost him most of the season, Dach is happy for the support he's received from the Hawks' medical staff, coaches, friends and teammates — especially Brent Seabrook, who was one of the first people to reach out after the injury occurred.

“Brent was a huge impact on my career and my life so far,” said Dach, who has been living with Seabrook's family since last season's training camp. “He's kind of like a second father to me and taught me so much away from the rink. I can't thank him and (wife) Dayna and three kids Carter, Kenzie and Dylan enough for allowing me live with them and be a part of their family. ...

“The person he is away from the rink, the things he does, as a young guy you can see how he brings the team together. He's that loud voice that brings a team up. We're going to miss him. I know I'm going to miss him a lot.

“At the same time we keep in touch quite a bit. That's somebody that's always been in my corner.”