Aaron Ekblad, the Florida Panthers defenseman, has returned to practice after serving a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy. He described the experience as filled with regret, emphasizing the impact on his integrity and the disappointment felt by teammates and fans. Ekblad expressed that he was unaware that his recovery aid contained banned substances. His absence added to the Panthers' injury woes, which saw key players like Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov sidelined, but coach Paul Maurice welcomed Ekblad’s return, indicating his value to the team during the playoffs.