‘I’m ready:’ Filip Chytil opens up on long-awaited Canucks return
When healthy, he’s been one of the Vancouver Canucks most exciting players.
The problem is, he’s been injured for virtually his entire Canucks tenure.
Filip Chytil played just 12 games for the Canucks last season. During his first six games, he potted three goals, including two in the home opener.
Then a nightmare scenario unfolded when Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson leveled him at centre ice.
When Chytil returned in January, he didn’t look the same, and he was sidelined after just six games due to migraine issues. As if that wasn’t enough, he suffered a broken jaw at Canucks practice after being hit by an errant puck.
After dealing with as many head injuries as he had, it was fair to wonder if he should consider retiring.
That doesn’t appear to be the case.
“I’m ready for the season,” Chytil proclaimed on Wednesday.
Chytil, who turns 27 on Saturday, is hoping to put his career-long string of injury troubles behind him. Since joining the Canucks, he’s played in 27 of a possible 113 games. In 2023-24 before joining Vancouver, he suited up in just 10 regular season games for the New York Rangers.
“It’s been a tough two years in a row for me,” he said.
“I had so much time to focus on certain things off and on the ice, and it was very productive for myself. The people around me who I work with did a great job, and I can’t wait until the season starts.”
Filip Chytil had a hot start with two goals in the Canucks first game last season. (Bob Frid/Imagn Images)
Chytil didn’t go into great detail about the gruelling recovery process, but he did shed a bit of light on what it looked like.
“I saw a lot of specialists about my health,” he said. “I got a lot of feedback on my body, and that for myself personally it was very, very positive.”
“Then I could start to focus on the mental side and also on the physical side, and it went well. Now I’m here with the team, and I can focus only on myself.”
Chytil was a standout player at Canucks training camp last season, and it looks like he’s picking up where he left off here early in September.
“Fil is so skilled and so fast,” DeBrusk said after the informal skate at Rogers Arena Wednesday. “He kind of jumps off the page when you’re watching him. He likes to carry the puck, and obviously he’s a good distributor.
“I always love skating with Phil because I’ve got to catch up to him sometimes.”
“Guys were excited, and he was probably the most excited. He hasn’t skated with us as a group for a long time. He looks great, but he always is flying out there. He’s always got the mitts.”