Welcome Home Patrick Eaves!

I woke up to the best news this morning.

@slapshotg0al Eaves was cleared! On the active roster!
— Peter Fish (@KinFin) January 18, 2013

I suddenly had the energy to jump out of bed and happy dance all the way to the shower... I'm not even joking. If Peter wasn't halfway around the globe (I'm only exaggerating a little) I would have hugged him to hard his eyes may have popped out.

In case you're not familiar with Eaves' situation, I'll give a little back story before continuing with my celebration.

On November 26, 2011 in a game against the Nashville Predators, Patrick Eaves dropped to his knee to block a shot on a penalty kill. Roman Josi shot the puck and it hit Eaves in the side of the head. Eaves dropped to the ice and lay sprawled on his back not moving. I'll link to a video, but I can't bring myself to watch it. It's horrifying and I can still see the events and images in my head like it happened yesterday. The original diagnosis was a broken jaw and 6-8 weeks out of the lineup, the reality turned into a broken jaw, a concussion, and so far 1 year, 1 month, and 23 days out of the lineup as well as a constant battle with post concussion symptoms including dizziness and debilitating headaches. As time passed and there was no good news, I had an idea that our amazing Hockey community helped turn into a reality. Operation Eaves was born and Patrick Eaves was touched by the outpouring of support, encouragement and love from fans around the world. Josh even started "Eavesdropping" in his game day movie posters at NOHS.

I'm always looking for good news and hoping to hear about Eaves making progress and getting closer to being healthy and being able to play Hockey again. After constantly disappointing news and report of no progress and lingering headaches and dizziness we received good news earlier this week that Eaves had been cleared for contact and would be able to participate in the Training Camp activities. He said he was no longer suffering from post concussion symptoms and was excited to be getting closer to being back. I began to have hope that we would at least see him back sometime this season and that was exciting. When I woke up to news that he is well enough to be taken off LTIR, cleared to play and is on the active roster my joy was overflowing. I've used caps lock more this today than probably the whole last year. And I'm not the only one excited...

Patrick Eaves cleared to play... WOOOOOOO!
— Josh Howard (@JHowardDesign) January 18, 2013

EAVES WAS CLEARED TO PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #ImSoExcitedImAboutToLoseControlAndIThinkILikeIt
— Andrea (@afilisko8) January 18, 2013

THE SEXTACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAVES IS BACK WOOOOO!!!!!
— Kevin (@KevinN37) January 18, 2013

 I searched the internet for a picture, video or gif that accurately conveyed my excitement at the fantastic news, but I couldn't find anything that was exciting or celebratory enough, even the most excited gif dancers couldn't compare to the celebration in my head and heart. My love, respect and admiration for Eaves is no secret and I can't wait to see him play again.

Me too Patty, me too!

I want Patty to take is slow and ease back into the swing of things and make sure he's fully healed and doesn't aggravate anything or regress. At this time I have no idea if he's ready to play Saturday or if he maybe needs a little more time. Either way, I'm ecstatic that Patty is healing and making progress. You can bet your sweet curly fries that I'll be celebrating long and loud the first time Patty hits the ice wearing that beautiful Winged Wheel again.

I'm sure Kronwall has missed having someone to push around. 

 

And he needs a chance to redeem himself in the shoot out.

I have plans for more celebratory Eaves posts, but you'll just have to wait for that.

Until next time..... I'll leave you with some Hatrick Eaves Hockey Porn

Let's Go Red Wings! and Welcome Home Patrick Eaves!