Light contact for Hossa at Blackhawks' practice

By Chris Kuc

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa upped the ante in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery after today's practice.

The veteran participated in light contact drills after practice with defenseman Jordan Hendry, making it another step for Hossa as he nears his Hawks debut.

"That was the first try to see how the shoulder is," said Hossa, who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million free-agent with the Hawks on July 1. "I talked to the doctor (Wednesday) and he said I could try it after practice, play one-on-one battles with a little contact and it felt not bad. I had a few battles in the corner. I felt pretty comfortable but I feel when I'm still pushing the power is not there. I'm still working on it at the gym, lifting a little heavier weights and getting the strength back."

Hossa, who had surgery July 24 on his right shoulder, is still targeting a return during the Hawks' six-game road trip that begins Nov. 19 in Calgary.

"I've been working on my conditioning for a long time," Hossa said. "When you're doing bicycles and skating after practices it's still different than the game shape. I try to do the best I can on my own but it's going to take a little bit at the games."

Hossa said the next step is participating in full practices with full contact.

"A lot more practices are going to be like this (with) after practice just a little contact and then I'll have probably next week full contact and I'll keep practicing regularly," Hossa said.