After dealing with severe complications from COVID-19, Marco Rossi is on the comeback trail.
He first hopes to help his home nation of Austria qualify for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and then he'll look to secure his place on the Minnesota Wild's 2021-22 roster.
"I know I haven't played a lot of games in the last year, year and a half, but now that I can see my fitness level and my shape, I know I'm better in shape than a lot of NHL players," Rossi, the Wild's 2020 ninth overall pick, told The Athletic's Michael Russo. "I see no doubt about that I can play in the NHL. I know I can play there. I know how good I am, but I have to prove myself in a training camp that I'm ready for that. I know it's going to be up to me to show I'm ready to play right away."
Rossi was diagnosed with COVID-19 in November 2020 while with the ZSC Lions of the Swiss League. He experienced only mild symptoms at the time and was cleared to play in the world juniors, at which point his condition worsened.
He reported to Minnesota in January for training camp after the tournament and failed a cardiac screening. Rossi was diagnosed with myocarditis - an inflammation of the heart - and shut down for the 2020-21 season.
In April, the 19-year-old said he was "just happy" to be alive.
Now, Rossi is back for his first game action since December; he sniped a power-play goal during Austria's Sunday friendly match against Italy ahead of the Olympic qualifiers.
"All the memories came into my mind from the past. I went through a really tough time. When I scored that goal, I was so relieved. The goal means a lot to me because it gives me more confidence that I'm healthy again," the center said.
Rossi can impress the Wild and prove he doesn't need a conditioning stint in the AHL during training camp next month, all while celebrating his 20th birthday on Sept. 23.
For now, Rossi's got a busy schedule ahead of him: Austria plays Slovakia on Thursday, Belarus on Friday, and Poland on Sunday.
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