DETROIT - Martin Frk knew young players would be battling for jobs, including his spot with the Detroit Red Wings, in training camp, so he rededicated himself over the summer, working on his shot accuracy and his conditioning.
Then he strained his oblique muscle the first day of camp.
It's a significant setback for a player who needs to prove himself all over again.
Frk was back on the ice Sunday and went through his first full practice Monday since the injury. He is scheduled to make his preseason debut Wednesday at Boston.
Red Wings' Martin Frk returns to ice, ready to battle for job
"It's a bad timing for the injury, but that's how hockey goes," Frk said.