Linesman Vaughan Rody can’t wait to get back on to NHL ice.
The veteran official has been sidelined since last March with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Now, one year later, Rody is preparing to make his triumphant return to the National Hockey League.
Rody, 50, made his NHL debut in 2000. He’s since officiated 1087 regular season games as well as 19 playoff matches, and was honored for reaching the 1000-game milestone last season.
The Winnipeg native is no stranger to the comeback trail. Rody missed half the 2014-15 NHL season due to a back injury that required multiple spinal surgeries.
Prior to rejoining his fellow zebras in the NHL, Rody required medical clearance. He recently went through a battery of tests at the Buffalo Sabres training center — the same place the officials hold their annual training camp prior to the start of the season. Rody passed.
Vaughan in Buffalo NY at the Buffalo Sabres training center doing the Wingate Test which is one of 9 tests that must be passed as he attempts to get clearance to get back on the ice. Vaughan has been out since last spring with a shoulder injury that required surgery. pic.twitter.com/dsVamaCUE3
— Pro Edge Power Skating (@ProEdge_Skating) March 1, 2019
He’s suited up for a handful of games in the American Hockey League to get back into game shape. We’re hoping to see him back in the NHL very soon.
“Every day is fortunate,” Rody once said. “When I put my jersey on before every game, quite frankly, I wouldn’t trade places with anybody. I think I have the greatest job in the world.”
All the best to linesman Vaughan Rody on his return.
