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Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford’s concussion timeline

Corey Crawford suffered his second concussion in less than a year during the Blackhawks’ 7-3 loss to San Jose on Dec. 16, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago.

Crawford missed 47 games last season with a concussion that occurred in December 2017. He didn’t make his debut this season debut until Oct. 18, 2018.

In 22 games this season, Crawford is 6-14-2 with a .903 save percentage and a 3.23 goals-against average.

Here’s a timeline on Crawford’s concussion history with the Blackhawks, including what team management has said about the goaltender during that time:

2017

Dec. 23: Crawford gives up three goals on seven shots in a 4-1 loss to New Jersey, getting pulled in the first period. It would be his final game of the season.

Dec. 27: The Blackhawks place Crawford on injured reserve. No word is given on what the injury is.

Dec. 28: Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville tells the media that Crawford will be out for “a bit,” with an “upper-body injury.”

2018

Jan. 16: Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times cites three team sources, saying Crawford was dealing with vertigo-like symptoms and could miss the rest of the season.

Jan. 17: Blackhawks senior team adviser Scotty Bowman says Crawford is “apparently” suffering from post-concussion syndrome.

Jan. 23: Crawford had an off-ice workout for the second straight day, leading to Quenneville expressing optimism about Crawford returning after the NHL All-Star break.

Feb. 3: Crawford skates for the first time since injury.

Feb. 12: Crawford participates in the Blackhawks’ morning skate in Arizona.

Feb. 21: Quenneville won’t say the Blackhawks are shutting down Crawford for the season, but a different tone in his expression is noted.

April 2: Quenneville says “we expect (Crawford) to be fine.”

April 9: Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman tells the media at the team’s end-of-season press conference that he expects Crawford to return to his old form.

June 21: Stan Bowman says he expects Crawford to be ready for training camp.

June 22: Quenneville backs Stan Bowman’s statement and says he also expects Crawford to be ready for training camp.

July 27: In his first public appearance since the concussion, Crawford says he’s “not 100 percent, yet” while at the Blackhawks’ three-day fan convention in Chicago.

Sept. 6: Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough says he’s “confident” Crawford will be ready at the start of the team’s training camp.

Sept. 13: Scott Powers of The Athletic reports Crawford is expected to take the ice at the start of training camp. Powers also noted Crawford was on the ice the week before, but did not handle any shots or pucks.

Sept. 14: Crawford does his first public individual on-ice workout before the Blackhawks open training camp.

Sept. 14: For the first time, Crawford says he suffered a concussion last December. He also says he’s still dealing with lingering concussion symptoms, but is “really close” to returning.

Sept. 24: Quenneville says Crawford is unlikely to be ready for the team’s season opener Oct. 3 in Ottawa.

Sept. 29: Quenneville says Crawford could practice with the team Oct. 1.

Oct. 1: Quenneville says Crawford has been medically cleared to play after the goaltender practiced with the team for the first time in nearly eight months.

Oct. 2: Quenneville says he’s optimistic Crawford could return Oct. 18 vs. Arizona in Chicago, which marks the seventh game of the season for the team.

Oct. 3: Blackhawks place Crawford on injured reserve.

Oct. 18: Quenneville says Crawford will start against Arizona that night.

Oct. 18: Crawford makes 27 saves in his return for the Blackhawks in a 4-1 home loss to Arizona.

Dec. 16: Crawford is diagnosed with a concussion after his head hit the goalpost during a collision in the first period. He left the game after the collision and did not return.

Dec. 17: The Blackhawks place Crawford on injured reserve as he goes through concussion protocol, retroactive to Dec. 16.

Dec. 18: Head coach Jeremy Colliton says he’s unsure whether Crawford is dealing with concussion-like symptoms, only that Crawford is in concussion protocol.

Dec. 20: Colliton says he knows when “they’re in concussion protocol, when they’re improving, I’ll hear about it. Until then, I’m not going to ask.”

Dec. 23: Colliton says Crawford was at the United Center for the team’s morning skate, but did not talk to his star goaltender. “As far as I know he’s still in the protocol. He is here, so that’s a positive.”

Dec. 27: Crawford does not return after being eligible to return from concussion protocol. Colliton expects Crawford will play once he returns.

2019

Jan. 2: Colliton says there’s been no change in Crawford’s status.

Jan. 6: Bowman makes his first public comment about Crawford, saying “if he’s medically cleared to play, then he’ll play again.”

Jan. 9: Crawford was at the United Center for the team’s morning skate. Colliton said there was no change in Crawford’s status as the goaltender remained in concussion protocol.

Jan. 19: Crawford participates in drills with goaltending coach Jimmy Waite and takes low shots to his pads from teammates, but leaves before a full team practice begins at MB Ice Arena. He left the dressing room before media availability.

Feb. 2: Colliton gives no update on Crawford’s condition, but says the team remains hopeful the goaltender will return this season.

Feb. 4: Colliton says “it’s just a day-to-day thing. We’ll see, see how the next few weeks play out,” after Crawford participates in drills for a second time.

Feb. 9: Crawford practices for about 20 minutes for the first time since his concussion. Colliton says there are still “a bunch of hurdles” before Crawford returns to play.

Feb. 11: Crawford says he feels “back to normal” after participating for a full practice for the first time, and doesn’t know when he’ll return. He also says he hasn’t thought about retirement.

Feb. 15: Crawford says he’s “healthy to play right now,” but notes the decision to return is up to the team. When asked when Crawford would return, Colliton says he’ll “discuss it with the staff.”

Feb. 19: Colliton says Crawford is not medically cleared to play, yet. Crawford adds that he needs to take a test to be cleared by doctors.

Feb. 23: Colliton says Crawford will take a concussion test next week to be medically cleared.

Feb. 25: The Blackhawks activate Crawford from injury reserve and re-assign Delia to the AHL.

This list will be continually updated.

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