Crawford practices after recovering from COVID-19

After taking the ice Saturday for his first practice with the Chicago Blackhawks since training camp began, Corey Crawford shed light on why he was forced to miss time.

Crawford told reporters, including Carter Baum of the club's official website, that he tested positive for COVID-19.

The 35-year-old revealed he quarantined after experiencing flu-like symptoms and waited longer than the 10-day requirement to return out of an abundance of caution.

"I was trying to stay as safe as possible with my family, we spent a lot of time at home with two kids ... it was a really big surprise that I tested positive," Crawford said Saturday.

He had yet to join his teammates for an on-ice session since Phase 3 started July 13 after sitting out the voluntary workouts (Phase 2), which opened June 8.

He's back. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/tFYNfFcISl

- Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) July 25, 2020

Crawford manned the crease for Team Black against Team Red in the scrimmage that followed.

Chicago will reportedly include Crawford on its playoff roster.

He posted a .917 save percentage and a 7.52 goals saved above average at 5-on-5 in 40 games during the regular season after missing 80 combined contests over the previous two campaigns due to concussions.

The Blackhawks held their final day of camp Saturday. They will fly to Edmonton - which will serve as their postseason hub city - on Sunday. Chicago will take on the St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game Wednesday before beginning a best-of-five play-in series against the Oilers on Aug. 1.

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