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Having not suited up since March 16th of last year due to a nagging hip injury, Florida Panthers Executive Vice President/General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that team captain D Ed Jovanovski has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to make his long awaited season debut on Saturday night when Florida hosts the Nashville Predators.

“We are thrilled to have our captain back in the line-up,” Tallon said in the team’s official press release. “Ed worked extremely hard during his extensive rehabilitation process and should be commended for his diligent efforts both on and off the ice. He is a true professional in every sense, who adds leadership, character and a veteran presence to our locker room.”

An original draft pick of the Panthers in 1994 as well as a key player in their improbable 1996 run to the Stanley Cup Finals, Jovanovski will look to bring inspiration and excitement to not only his teammates, but hopeful Panthers’ fans as well.

“I am very excited to get back on the ice with my teammates on Saturday night,” said Jovanovski. “I cannot thank our doctors and training staff enough for the countless hours they spent helping me rehab from my injury. I look forward to seeing all the Panthers fans at the BB&T Center tomorrow night.”

A 17-year NHL veteran, Jovanovski will certainly bring a wealth of experience to the Panthers’ locker room as well as a centralized voice of leadership that has been missing since his departure.

In the six games played prior to suffering his injury last season, Jovanovski, 36, earned one assist while seeing 15:39 TOI per-game.

Tune in to FOX Sports Florida tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. to catch all the excitement of Jovanovski’s return to the ice.

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