Lafreniere returns for Canada vs. Slovakia

Star forward Alexis Lafreniere is back in the lineup for Canada's quarterfinal game against Slovakia on Thursday.

Lafreniere practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his left knee in Canada's second round-robin contest against Russia. The 18-year-old looked comfortable while participating in drills.

From @frank_seravalli at the #WorldJuniors: New Year, new hope that Alexis Lafreniere will return for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship https://t.co/vZIZCv9oom #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/mckOP86NKr

- TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 1, 2020

Canadian forward Ty Dellandrea called Lafreniere's early return to the ice "shocking," adding that he "didn't see any rust" in his teammate's game, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

Canada was able to weather the storm without its top talent, defeating both Germany and the Czech Republic to claim the top spot in Group B.

Lafreniere, the projected No. 1 selection of the 2020 NHL Draft, was dominant in the tournament opener for the red and white, notching a goal and three assists en route to a 6-4 victory over the United States.

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