Penguins defenseman Taylor Fedun presses on a decade after breaking his right femur

Thursday was a significant anniversary in the career — life, really — of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Taylor Fedun.

Even if he didn’t immediately realize it.

A decade earlier, his hopes of playing in the NHL nearly came to a violent and gruesome end.

As a first-year professional at that time, Fedun was battling for a roster spot with the Edmonton Oilers. Any hopes of reaching the sport’s highest level that season came to an immediate halt during a preseason game Sept. 30, 2011.

Racing for a puck on his own end boards to get an icing call, Fedun was tripped inadvertently by Minnesota Wild forward Eric Nystrom and crashed into the end board.

The collision broke Fedun’s right femur.

“I actually hadn’t realized yesterday was 10 years,” Fedun said on Friday. “I guess that’s a good thing. It’s not at the forefront of my mind at this time, which is important for me to do what I’m doing.”

What Fedun has been doing for the past nine seasons is playing hockey. After missing the 2010-11 season while rehabilitating his leg, he returned to the ice in 2011-12 and never left.

“It was two very experienced orthopedic surgeons who did the procedure,” Fedun said. “They were very clear from the get-go that if I took care of myself and committed to the rehab, I’d be able to get back to where I was prior to the injury. Getting that mindset right off the get-go was huge for me to work through it.”

In addition to the Oilers, Fedun, who was undrafted after serving as Princeton’s captain his senior year, has spent time with San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres and parts of the past three seasons with the Dallas Stars.

Last season, Fedun appeared in only two American Hockey League (AHL) games with the Texas Stars, being shuffled between the NHL and AHL rosters because of the pandemic-related rules the NHL adopted. This summer, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Penguins.

A right-handed shot, Fedun understands he’s a long shot to be on the Penguins’ NHL roster. In fact, he was placed on waivers Friday, a mere formality that will allow the Penguins to assign him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton provided he clears.

Regardless, he’s ready to embrace whatever role he inhabits in the organization.

“One of the biggest things for me is to have a good camp and establish my game and that it’s something that can be effective at the NHL level,” Fedun said. “I understand contract situations and where we’re at with numbers on (defense). If my place is in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), it’s to go down there, be a leader in the locker room. I’m going to be one of the older guys if I am down there. And to just keep working for that opportunity to come up here and contribute and at the same time, set a good example (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton).”

The Penguins traditionally have placed an emphasis on having a veteran or two on the blue line with their AHL affiliate to guide younger teammates on and off the ice. Zach Trotman, David Warsofsky and Kevin Czuczman have assumed that role in recent seasons.

Fedun, 33, is well suited for that responsibility.

“That’s a position that I’m comfortable in if I end up down there,” Fedun said. “It’s something that I’ve done before, and I’ll continue to enjoy that role.”

A decade removed his accident, Fedun doesn’t dwell on his past. He’s just thriving in the present.

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already,” Fedun said. “But I’ve just kind of been enjoying the ride and taking it year by year, day by day.”

Notes:

• Coach Mike Sullivan indicated goaltenders Casey DeSmith and Louis Domingue will split duties during Friday’s preseason road game against the Buffalo Sabres.

• The team’s lines during the morning skate in Cranberry were:

22 Sam Poulin - 67 Radim Zohorna - 42 Kasperi Kapanen

20 Kasper Bjorkqvist - 10 Drew O’Connor - 34 Nathan Legare

49 Dominik Simon - 26 Michael Chaput - 76 Valtteri Puustinen

75 Kyle Olson - 64 Jordy Bellerive - 57 Anthony Angello

• The defensemen mixed and matched during line rushes. Niclas Almari, Matt Bartkowski, Fedun, Marcus Pettersson, Will Reilly and Mitch Reinke are scheduled to dress.

• The Sabres projected lineup is:

53 Jeff Skinner - 37 Casey Mittelstadt - 71 Victor Olofsson

96 Anders Bjork - 28 Zemgus Girgensons - 29 Vinnie Hinostroza

91 Drake Caggiula - 49 Ryan MacInnis - 21 Kyle Okposo

73 Matej Pekar - 43 Sean Malone - 72 Tage Thompson

26 Rasmus Dahlin - 10 Henri Jokiharju

8 Robert Hagg - 33 Colin Miller

44 Jimmy Schuldt - 13 Mark Pysyk

• The Sabres are expected to start goaltender Craig Anderson and replace him with backup Dustin Tokarski to open the third period.

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