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Kyle Okposo released from Buffalo hospital intensive care: Report

Greg Wyshynski

When the Buffalo Sabres announced that winger Kyle Okposo had been suddenly and mysteriously admitted to the neuro intensive care unit at Buffalo General Medical Center, the hockey world was rocked.

He’s a well-liked player from his time with the Sabres and New York Islanders. He had been feeling ill since March 28. To hear Dan Bylsma say on Wednesday that he was “very concerned” about Okposo left us all feeling the same way.

On Friday, there’s been more positive news, as Tom Martin of News 4 Buffalo reported that Okposo had been released from the hospital:

Earlier, John Wawrow of the Associated Press reported that Okposo’s health was improving:

Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is showing signs of improving from an undisclosed illness, though there is no timetable yet as to when he might be released from the hospital, a person with direct knowledge of the player’s condition told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres have not provided any updates since announcing Okposo is under the care of team doctors on Wednesday.

Okposo’s last game was March 27 against the Florida Panthers where he played 15:57 and fired three shots on goal. He was Buffalo’s lone representative in this year’s all-star game and has 45 points in 65 games played. The Sabres signed Okposo last summer to a seven-year contract.

As the Buffalo News noted, the neuro ICU is usually reserved for “seriously ill or injured patients” and that common ailments that would require admission range from strokes to “epilepsy, brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, degenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.”

Okposo will miss both of the Sabres’ final games. “It’s a difficult situation and a difficult time for Kyle and his family,” Bylsma said in HarborCenter, to the Buffalo News. “We want to do everything we can to be with him and help him through the time that he’s in right now. It’s certainly a cloud.”

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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