Penguins assistant Mike Vellucci to return to bench following medical procedure

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan announced Nov. 18 that assistant Mike Vellucci would be sidelined for approximately a week following an unspecified minor medical procedure.

On Wednesday, Sullivan revealed that Vellucci will rejoin the rest of the staff behind the bench when the Vancouver Canucks visit PPG Paints Arena.

Vellucci will not join the team on its upcoming road trip to play the Boston Bruins on Nov. 29, but after that, Sullivan expects him back.

“I would anticipate him being on the bench from there on out,” Sullivan said.

The 58-year-old Vellucci oversees the Penguins’ penalty kill and also works with the forwards.

As Vellucci has been on the mend, Sullivan, along with fellow assistants David Quinn and Ty Hennes, have picked up the slack.

Vellucci hasn’t been behind the bench for a game since Nov. 16 and is not participating on the ice during practices.

However, he is still around the team and was spotted Monday chatting with president of hockey operations/general managed Kyle Dubas at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex as the Penguins practiced.

During his recovery, which appears to be soon concluding, Vellucci has managed to contribute.

“(Vellucci) is here, he’s participated in our meetings, he’s still preparing the penalty kill, he’s been holding those meetings; he just hasn’t been on the bench during the games,” Sullivan said. “So, he’s participating actively right now.

“Obviously, he has not been on the ice yet for practice, but I would anticipate that not being too long before he gets back on the ice.”