The digital clock affixed to the wall had just hit 11:00 a.m. A whistle was blown, and Penguins players gathered around the boards near the “visitors” bench on their main rink at their Cranberry facility Friday morning.

Coach Mike Sullivan began scribbling schematics with a felt marker on a dry erase board when a figure with two sticks emerged from a hallway connecting to the auxiliary rink plodded around the western end of the main rink.

After stopping behind the bench to chat with a team staffer, that individual stepped on the ice and was greeted by rousing applause from players in the form of stick “claps.”

Sidney Crosby was back.

At practice, at least.

Crosby was a full participant in a practice or scrimmage for the first time since he abruptly left a scrimmage July 18, though he had been skating on his own a handful of times, including before Friday’s practice. There was little to indicate Crosby was physically limited in any way Friday.

The reason for his absence never has been disclosed by the team. New NHL rules prohibiting public disclosure of medical information during the coronavirus pandemic did not permit the team to explain why hockey’s leading ambassador had been missing in advance of a postseason tournament unlike any other.

A team source indicated to the Tribune-Review that Crosby had been dealing with a minor physical ailment and was withheld for precautionary reasons.

Crosby was not made available to reporters Friday.

Regardless, his presence clearly was welcomed.

“It’s great to have him back on the ice,” said assistant coach Jacques Martin, filling in for Sullivan’s media obligations. “You know how important he is to our hockey club. He brings great leadership on the ice as well as off the ice. You know how (Sullivan) likes to use him in so many instances. He’s a catalyst. It’s nice. Everybody cheered when he joined the group today.”

Martin’s decision

Martin is the NHL’s oldest coach (assistant or head) at 67. And given the greater risks coronavirus poses to older people, he and Sullivan had a discussion over how much involvement Martin would have during the postseason before deciding to fully participate.

“I did have the conversation with Mike,” Martin said. “There wasn’t any hesitation on my part. I feel that I’m in good physical condition. I think I’m careful. All through this period, I’ve obeyed the recommendation of the medical staff as far as wearing a mask. I keep in close contact with family and a small circle. I think that’s really important. And I have strong faith and belief in our staff here and our athletes.

“So I’m excited to be part of having another opportunity to win a (Stanley Cup title) and being part of this staff and helping this organization as much as I can.”

High praise

During Thursday’s scrimmage, reserve forward Adam Johnson stood out by creating plenty of scoring opportunities and set up rookie forward Anthony Angello for a goal.

Johnson appeared in seven games during the regular season, all of which occurred in October. He might have earned more NHL action, but a handful of injures he suffered during the regular season at the American Hockey League level prevented further recalls.

Regardless, Sullivan offered a hearty endorsement of Johnson’s abilities and standing within the organization after the scrimmage Thursday.

“We really like (Johnson’s) game,” Sullivan said. “His skating ability is so evident when he’s with us. He played some good games for us when he got his NHL games. There was opportunity through some injuries that we had this year. Unfortunately for (Johnson), he was hurt a lot himself when those opportunities presented themselves. So he didn’t get the games that maybe he had anticipated or we anticipated that he may get the NHL level.

“But we think that he’s an NHL-caliber player and a big reason why is because of his pace. He’s a good penalty killer. He’s a great puck-pursuit guy. He’s good on the forecheck, and he’s got a little scoring touch. He had a strong (scrimmage Thursday).”

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