Schubert returns to practice, cleared to play

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Christoph Schubert returned to Thrashers practice Thursday while Ilya Kovalchuk and Nik Antropov missed the morning session.

Schubert missed the team’s past three practices after he returned to Ottawa to gather some personal belongings and get his immigration papers in order. The process was delayed by holidays in the United States (Columbus Day) and in Canada (Thanksgiving) on Monday. The Thrashers claimed the defenseman off re-entry waivers from Ottawa following the start of the season.

"It took forever," Schubert said.

Schubert said he rode an exercise bike to stay in shape while waiting for his work visa. He plans to play Friday in New Jersey and Saturday in Buffalo.

“No one said anything to me,” Schubert said. “I’m going in as if I’m going to play.”

Kovalchuk was excused from practice because of “personal reasons,” according to coach John Anderson.

“He has some personal things he had to deal with this morning, and we decided he better get those cleared up and then get on the plane with us,” Anderson said of the Thrashers' captain.

Antropov took a puck to the knee at the end of Wednesday’s practice. The forward dressed for Thursday’s skate but left soon after getting on the ice.

“He has a little bit of soreness in his leg,” Anderson said. “He’s fine. We just thought it would be better to ice it and do some therapy. We got lots of practice this week any way. It’s not like it’s going to make or break him.”

Defenseman Tobias Enstrom left Thursday's practice with a cut on his chin, suffered when he was hit by a stick near the end of the session. He later reported he was fine.

Remembering Snyder

The Thrashers will practice Sunday at the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena in Elmira, Ontario, following Saturday’s game in Buffalo. Snyder was a young forward with the Thrashers when he was died following an automobile accident with Dany Heatley in 2003.

Only three current players were members of the Thrashers when Snyder played -- Slava Kozlov, Kari Lehtonen and Kovalchuk.

“We all remember Dan,” Kozlov said. “He was a great guy and a talented young hockey player. He will be with us for the rest of our lives.

Kozlov won the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy, given each year to the Thrashers player who best embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, in 2006-07. Colby Armstrong won the award last year.

“That means a lot to me,” Kozlov said. “Now, to go there and practice and spend the day with his family, I think is great. The young guys will get a chance to know what happened.”

Reasoner at home with role

Forward Marty Reasoner has skated with the team's fourth line -- along with Eric Boulton and Chris Thorburn -- this season. He has remained on the team's penalty-kill unit. The new line assignment suits him just fine.

"Obviously when you are playing on the top two lines, it changes your style. It’s more offense," Reasoner said. "I think when you play the role I’ve been playing the last couple of years, it doesn’t really change. You want to be good defensively, work hard, get on the boards and create momentum through hard work.