Back to the New York Islanders Newsfeed

Golden Knights' Alex Pietrangelo ends absence after daughter's recovery

LAS VEGAS -- Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returned to practice Saturday morning after a nine-game absence he took when his 4-year-old daughter became seriously ill.

Pietrangelo said he felt comfortable that his daughter, Evelyn, was progressing well enough that he could return in time for Saturday night's home game against the New York Islanders.

He said Evelyn came down with the flu over Thanksgiving and then developed encephalitis, which created a lesion on her brain. That caused her to lose her motor skills, including not being able to open her eyes for the first five days.