Wild's Brock Faber speaks for the first time since fractured skull

Brock Faber says he's back, and the Wild defenseman is skating hard and practicing six weeks after a fractured skull.

He spoke to reporters Friday for the first time since the incident. It started as a puck to the side of the head in the Sept. 25 preseason finale against the Dallas Stars, and Faber figured it was nothing.

There was hardly any swelling, no blood and barely any pain. He told the athletic trainers he could keep playing in the second period: "I swear, I'm actually good. There's nothing wrong with my head."

"I guess I was wrong," Faber said. "Things progressively got worse."

A trip to the hospital followed, and a CT scan revealed the fracture. Surgery was required, along with a three-day stay at Regions.

Faber also confirmed a medical event on the way to the hospital. He wouldn't go into detail, saying he'd "rather not have the whole world know that," but admitted "it was scary there for a little bit."

Why Faber isn't rushing his return

He will travel with the Wild next week on their three-game trip to Montreal, Toronto and Boston. Coach John Hynes called his return date a "moving target," and Faber is listed on injured reserve, expected out until at least Nov 10.

Faber says he feels ready to play but wants to be certain. "The last thing I'd want to do is get back too soon and something else pops up," he said.

That's the right call, and the standings make it easy. The Wild are 12-3-3 and sit first in the Central Division, so nobody needs a defenseman to test his head against game speed before he's sure.

Faber has been wearing plastic ear guards inside the holes of his helmet since returning to the ice and plans to keep them on. Jared Spurgeon, himself listed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, has worn them since the incident.

The only drawback is that his hearing is a little more muffled. Asked if he'd have to ask his partner to speak up, Faber joked that Quinn Hughes yells when he wants the puck.

Hughes has 25 points in 18 games, and Quinn Hughes' milestone among Orr, Coffey and Potvin was flagged just yesterday. Faber, for his part, said he still plans to battle in front of the net and go into the hard areas.

He called the team's play "fun to watch" and said it makes him "so good knowing that they don't need me right now." The Wild host Tampa Bay tonight, with Bill Guerin's comments on Quinn Hughes' future still hanging over the team.

Faber's next checkpoint comes Nov 10, when his injured-reserve window opens.

Quick hits

CALGARY FLAMES: The five-game winning streak is over. The Ducks rallied to win 5-3 at the Saddledome Friday night, with Cutter Gauthier scoring the go-ahead goal.

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BUFFALO SABRES: Josh Norris scored twice as the Sabres beat the Blue Jackets 5-2 at home Friday night. Buffalo made it look easy.

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BOSTON BRUINS: Mikey Eyssimont is back in the lineup, according to Mark Divver, after missing a game with a puck to the mouth. A quick turnaround for the Bruins.

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SAN JOSE SHARKS: Macklin Celebrini tied it in Minnesota, but the Sharks fell 4-1 for a fourth straight loss. The slide is getting uncomfortable.

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ANAHEIM DUCKS: Cutter Gauthier scored the go-ahead goal in the Ducks' 5-3 comeback win in Calgary. Anaheim ended a hot streak and gained a signature win.

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