George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers have cookies back on their pregame meal table.
Noel Acciari prefers Oreos, but after making it back on ice months earlier than many expected following a freak injury sustained in October, he will be happy to scarf down anything the Panthers put at the end of the buffet.
“I heard they were slacking a little. I enjoy a good Oreo, but the hotel cookies work as well,” said Acciari, whom coach Andrew Brunette said would be activated in time for Wednesday’s game at Carolina.
“Knowing it is about that time makes me very excited to be back out there with the guys again.”
Acciari got the nickname ‘Cookie’ after getting agitated when the Panthers did not have his preferred pregame snack before his first preseason game with Florida in 2019.
The Panthers have missed having Acciari on the ice — and the way he always seems to agitate opposing players.
He missed that as well.
Although he may not play Wednesday night against the Hurricanes, Acciari is close to a return with Brunette saying he would likely play at some point during this three-game road trip.
Acciari was working with the fifth line of forwards so it is not known whether he will play Wednesday or wait until Friday or Sunday.
”It is good to see him back with the group battling,” Brunette said.
Acciari is just happy to be around his teammates again.
It has been a while, although he was told by doctors after sustaining an apparent pectoral muscle tear in October that he would have been out at least until April.
“I worked with the strength coaches, the trainers and did everything I could so I was not only physically fit to play, but was doing what the doctors wanted so I could be cleared to play,” Acciari said. “I wanted to be a part of this so bad. The trainers helped me get back a few months earlier than expected and I am excited to be here at this point.”
Acciari was off the ice for nine weeks following surgery.
He first joined his teammates for light workouts in December but has been part of full practice for the past few weeks — even traveling with his team on its trip to western Canada.
During the All-Star break, Acciari was able to go to Charlotte and get in two AHL games.
“The month, skating with these guys, has been great,” Acciari said. “I think I really benefited from playing with Charlotte, getting into game-like situations.
“There is no such thing as being ready to play a game without playing in a game. Those two games definitely helped me get ready. It was game situations, but it was mental too. It was good to be able to think the game a little bit. …
“It is good to have the routine again, get back in the swing of things. Getting those games in Charlotte were good for getting the gameday routine down again; getting the nap, the meal. You forget the superstitions like what you eat and how you eat it.”
Acciari’s injury was an unusual one to put it mildly.
He was hurt during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Orlando when a skirmish broke out at center ice.
Acciari was hit hard by Tampa Bay’s Pat Maroon, only he had been hurt seconds before as he popped the muscle pulling Maroon off a pile of players.
As he recoiled back in pain, Maroon unknowingly added insult to that injury by sending Acciari to the ice where he appeared to hit the back of his head.
“It was a freak accident but things happen,” Acciari said.
It was known the injury was bad not long after it occured.
A player like Acciari — one who played with a broken sternum in Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2019 — simply does not recoil in agony like that unless it’s something serious.
“You see some freaky things, but that one was not expected but I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it,’’ Brunette said. “Kudos for him because we weren’t expecting him back for a while. He rehabbed so hard and came back so fast, it’s good to see him back. … He plays through everything. His pain tolerance is through the roof. He battles and grinds and puts his body into positions where you cringe sometimes but he is no worse for wear afterward. He’s a warrior.”
Missing the start of the season, and the months to follow, are what hurt Acciari the most.
Not being able to be on the ice with his teammates is something that fueled his quick recovery.
“I knew we had a special group coming into the season and I was excited to be a part of it,” he said. “I am so proud of the guys, watching them play and seeing what they have been able to do. I want to join in on that and help out any way I can. I am really excited.”