The professional sports in the state of Minnesota received good news on two fronts today in terms of players out with concussions.

Minnesota Wild player Pierre-Marc Bouchard will return to the ice for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.  Bouchard has missed over a year due to post-concussion symptoms and finally has been given the clearance to play.  According to his agent and TwinCities.com, “Butch is back,” and “It’s official.”

Also in the Twin Cities, the Twins first baseman, Justin Morneau proclaimed that he will be ready to resume baseball come this spring.  Morneau has been out of baseball since July 7th when he took a knee to the head sliding into second base.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind I’ll be ready for spring, especially with what I’ve done this week and how it’s reacted and how I’ve felt,” Morneau said. “That’s something that hasn’t even crossed my mind.”

“Two months ago I couldn’t have come out and sat for that long and signed,” he said. “It’s come a long ways. It’s a lot better. It’s not all the way there yet, but it’s close.”

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