ANN ARBOR -- The Detroit Red Wings are days away from reporting to Traverse City for training camp.

Drake Geasinger poses for a picture with Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard in the "The Michigan Game Day Experience" room at C. S. Mott Children's Hospital during the MI Wings Community Tour stop in Ann Arbor on September 16, 2014. Geasinger recovering is recovering from a recent operation. Tyler Stabile | The Ann Arbor News

It can't get here soon enough for goalie Jimmy Howard.

Howard was on hand for the Red Wings' visit to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Tuesday afternoon to sign autographs, and talk with dozens of young fans as part of the team's annual MI Wings Community Tour.

"I can't wait to get back on the ice," Howard said. "As the summer goes on, you are enjoying it, but as soon as guys start trickling back in town you start to get that itch. I've had it for awhile, and I'm really excited to get going this weekend."

Howard's eagerness has a lot to do with how the 30-year-old feels physically.

The goalie missed time last season with injuries to his hand and knee while also battling issues with his hip. He closed out the season by missing Detroit's final two postseason games with the flu.

"With everything that happened last season with the knees, and the hips, it feels nice to finally get back to healthy," Howard said. "It's the best I've felt in two or three years."

Howard didn't dramatically alter his off-season regimen, but did stay in the Detroit area.

"I didn't really try anything different," Howard said. "We did spend (the summer) here in Detroit. We had our second child in June, so we couldn't go anywhere. It was great summer being around the boys a lot, and my wife, but it's now time to get back, and I can't wait."

Goalie Jimmy Howard is hoping to stay healthy this season for the Red Wings. (AP File Photo)

If Howard can return to form, it will go a long way in helping the Red Wings rebound from one of their worst seasons in a decade. It was only the second time since 2006 the team's season ended with a first round loss.

Howard's 2.66 goals against average, and .910 save percentage were his worst since his sophomore season in 2010-11 while his win percentage also suffered with a 21-19-11 record.

The former Olympian and all-star is optimistic he won't be the only player on the Red Wings to rebound from an injury filled 2013-14 season.

According to mangameslost.com, Detroit accumulated 255 missed games due to team reported injuries. It was seventh highest total of the 30 NHL teams.

"It seems like we are always up there in games lost," Howard said. "It's been that way for several years."

While many fans were concerned about the lack of big name free agent acquisitions, Howard said having Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg back at 100 percent is the "best sign from the summer."

"I heard about it a lot being here in the summer time, why isn't anyone coming here?" Howard said, laughing. "It just wasn't in the cards. It wasn't like management didn't try, it was just how various scenarios played out. For us, its huge having Pav (Datsyuk) and Z (Henrik Zetterberg) back healthy."

Michael Niziolek covers local sports for MLive Ann Arbor News. Email him at mniziole@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+