The defenseman, who missed five games, led the Penguins with 22:14 of ice time in the
3-1 win
.
"Stroke is a scary word," Letang said Thursday. "I'm lucky to have the staff we have. I know I'm in good hands. I've been lucky that these things resolve on their own, can go back to a normal life. People know me well by now. They know that hockey is a passion for me. It's something that is going to take a lot to drag me out of it.
"At the same time, I know the danger. I know everything. I made sure I know all the risks I'm taking. If there's none, I will resume playing. That's what's the case right now."
Letang began skating on his own on Dec. 1, three days after the stroke, but was not cleared for hockey-related activity until Thursday, when he practiced for the first time.
The stroke was the second the 35-year-old has had during his hockey career. He previously missed more than two months after having one at some point before the Penguins played at the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 30, 2014, when tests revealed that he was born with a very small hole in the wall of his heart, which typically closes on its own in most people.
Since that first stroke, Letang has played 543 regular-season games and 69 playoff games, including winning the Stanley Cup two times (2016, 2017).
Letang's second stroke occurred following a full practice on Nov. 28. After experiencing migraines, Letang was prompted to call head athletic trainer Chris Stewart before being told by head team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas to go to the hospital immediately.
At the time, Letang was unaware he had had a stroke. He said he had experienced migraines in the past, usually getting one about every two months, but they would normally dissipate after approximately two hours.
This time, Letang said the migraines kept coming every three hours.
Vyas said on Thursday there is nothing unique about playing a sport that could worsen Letang's condition.
Letang was able to stay around the Penguins throughout the past 12 days, including attending their 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 29. He spoke with general manager Ron Hextall during the second period of that game and appeared in the locker room after.
Hextall said the following day he expected Pittsburgh to play for Letang. It has won four straight since.
"Mentally, I feel good to be back, to be honest," Letang said. "It's always hard to be on the sidelines. I know health comes first. … We're taking all the time we need to figure this thing out. Like [Vyas] said, when I feel ready to go and practice like I did today, he's going to give me the green light, if it's safe to do."
Letang has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 21 games this season and leads the Penguins in average ice time per game (23:54). In 17 seasons with Pittsburgh, he ranks first among its defensemen in games (962), goals (145), assists (517) and points (662).
