The Chicago Blackhawks could have defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk return to the lineup for its annual Circus Trip. Coach Joel Quenneville told reporters van Riemsdyk is questionable to return and join the Hawks, at any point, for the West Coast road trip later this month.
The Hawks’ Circus Trip starts Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Winnipeg with stops in Calgary (Friday, Nov. 18), Vancouver (Saturday, Nov. 19), Edmonton (Monday, Nov. 21), San Jose (Wednesday, Nov. 23), Anaheim (Friday, Nov. 25) and Los Angeles (Saturday, Nov. 26).
Van Riemsdyk suffered an upper-body injury in the second period Oct. 21 at Columbus. He found himself tangled up with Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson as he drove to the net and into goaltender Corey Crawford. Both players crashed into the net, while van Riemsdyk’s right arm smashed against the goal post.
The 25-year-old’s injury did not require surgery. That’s good news for a player who has a checked injury history. The 6-foot-2, 188-pound blue liner had surgery on his right wrist in April 2015 and fractured his left patella in November 2014. He had a clean bill of health last season, playing all 82 games.