Blackhawks' Hjalmarsson cleared to resume speaking after throat injury

Two weeks after an errant puck struck him in the throat, Niklas Hjalmarsson was cleared to resume speaking Monday; but it wasn't like the Chicago Blackhawks were missing a key voice in their locker room.

"I don't think the guys noticed it too much. If it would have happened to a guy like [Andrew Shaw], I think it would have been a better [reaction]."

Despite his introvert nature, Hjlamarsson had little trouble describing the unsettling circumstance and relief experienced after weeks of silence.

"It was pretty scary once it happened," Hjalmarsson told Kevin Allen of USA TODAY Sports. "It was tough to breathe for a couple of minutes. I was just glad I recovered quick. Once I figured out I was able to breathe, it was a big relief I was pretty lucky. I'm just glad to be able to talk again." 

Hjalmarsson will continue wearing the protective neck guard he has featured since sustaining the injury.