Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, deflects a shot as New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle jumps out of the way during the first period of a game on Tuesday in Los Angeles.Mark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, one of three netminders on Canada’s upcoming Olympic hockey roster, has been cleared to return after suffering a neck injury against the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
Kuemper said after returning to practice Thursday that he lost feeling in his arm when Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski ran into him in the first period of the game. He had to be replaced by Anton Forsberg.
Kuemper felt better when he woke up Wednesday, and additional examinations confirmed he would be available for an upcoming road trip, which starts at the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and runs six games while the Grammy Awards are hosted at Crypto.com Arena.
Kuemper was named alongside St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington and Washington’s Logan Thompson to the 25-man squad for Canada that will play in the Milan Cortina Olympics next month.
The 35-year-old is a first-time Olympian for Canada and is expected to be the third keeper behind Binnington and Thompson.