Dallas Stars prospects aren’t the only ones hitting the ice during the team’s development camp in Frisco this week. During a break between sessions on Tuesday, Stars captain Jamie Benn went on the ice for a light skate. It was Benn’s second time putting on the skates since undergoing surgery on both hips two months ago.

“As you guys saw, I wasn’t doing too much out there,” Benn said. “I don’t think I mixed a crossover in; I was just working on the edges, feeling out the hips a bit and the groins. But it did feel good to be out there.”

Hip issues plagued Benn most of last season, but he played through the pain. He suited up for all 82 games and won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top scorer with 87 points (35 goals, 52 assists). He also was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted on by the players.

As for the hips, the Stars decided to take care of them not long after the season ended. He underwent the first procedure in late April and the second one in early May. Benn has been rehabbing here in the Dallas area this summer and getting back on the ice is another step forward.

“It’s been going pretty good,” he said. “I haven’t been really doing too much. I have been taking it day by day. It’s definitely nice to get back here out on the ice now. I probably won’t be skating every day, but a couple times a week. And I’ll be sticking with my off-ice plan.”

At the time of the surgery, the time frame for the recovery was put at four to five months. Getting back on the ice for some light skating is a good sign, but Benn said he’ll remain patient with the process.

“I think I am ahead of schedule,” Benn said. “We still have a long time to go here before training camp and the season starts, so I am in no rush. I am going to take it day by day, nice and slow. I think the main thing is that I don’t want any setbacks. I am definitely happy with my progress.”

While the recovery time from the surgeries is four to five months, it could be a little longer before Benn is completely up to full speed. But the Stars captain has a specific date in mind as to when he’ll be 100 percent.

“I think October 8 (opening night vs. Pittsburgh) is when I will be 100 percent ready to go,” he said.



This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.