Gabriel Landeskog's Triumphant Return Sparks Emotional Avalanche Comeback
Gabriel Landeskog, captain of the Colorado Avalanche, made an unforgettable and emotional return to the NHL after a staggering 1,032 days off the ice. On April 24, 2025, Ball Arena roared with thunderous applause as Landeskog skated out for Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Dallas Stars. For fans, teammates, and especially his family, it wasn’t just a game—it was a moment of profound triumph.
A Long Road From Surgery to Skates
The path back wasn’t easy. Landeskog last played on June 26, 2022, in the Stanley Cup Final. What followed was a brutal stretch marked by uncertainty: a severe knee injury originally suffered during the 2020 playoffs worsened over time, finally requiring a rare cartilage transplant surgery on May 10, 2023.
Many doubted if the Swedish forward would ever return to professional hockey again. Not only was his career in jeopardy, but his very ability to walk without pain was at stake. Yet Landeskog remained steadfast, rehabbing in silence while team and fans waited.
The Comeback: April 24, 2025
On April 22, 2025, Landeskog was activated from long-term injured reserve, fueling speculation he’d play in Game 3. And play he did. On April 24, he led the Avalanche out onto home ice to an eruption of support. Cameras captured the heart-tugging moment his children held a hand-drawn sign that read:
“So proud of you Daddy!”
His wife, seen in tears of joy in the stands, embodied the emotional core of his long journey.
What Teammates and Opponents Are Saying
Everyone—from locker rooms to opponent benches—had one sentiment: admiration. Coach Jared Bednar said:
Everyone is rooting for him. It's a great comeback story... Adding him back into our locker room, he's almost an extension of the coaching staff, but he's still the guy everyone looks up to.
Even Stars forward Matt Duchene, a former Avalanche teammate, shared:
It's so much bigger than hockey... Our families are good friends, and we've been rooting for him to come back. Hope it's not one of those things where it acts back up.
Legacy and Leadership
Drafted 2nd overall in 2011, Landeskog has served as the heart of the Colorado Avalanche since being named captain in 2012. He ranks top-10 in nearly every franchise scoring metric and has been integral to the team’s resurgence in recent years. His return signals more than just another healthy skater—it’s the reemergence of a rallying figure.
Whether his leadership can tilt the balance of the playoff series is up for debate, but his return alone has injected hope and fire back into the franchise.
To read more about this emotional return, check out the full game recap on NHL.com and a detailed analysis of his medical journey here.
Conclusion
✔️ A three-year absence ends with raw emotion and personal triumph
✔️ Landeskog's leadership could be a turning point for the Avalanche – but for now, his courage is the real win
