Basisphilosophie » the first time he has spoken to reporters

PITTSBURGH -- Recovering from a stroke, Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang said his doctors have reassured him that hell be play hockey again. When that could happen is unclear. The 26-year-old Letang spoke to the media before the Penguins faced Montreal on Thursday night, the first time he has spoken to reporters since having the stroke on a West Coast trip before the Olympic break. "Im targeting it day-by-day," Letang said. "Im trying to improve every day I come here. I try to exercise the best I can. I see doctors pretty much every week, twice a week to get better. So well go from there." Doctors are treating Letang with blood thinners and he has been doing light exercises without weights. "(Doctors) said being 26 and having a stroke, its actually a small percentage, but the chance that I get back to normal is really high," Letang said. "Well take the decision from there, but for now, were keeping like this. ... Im going day-by-day to get to 100 per cent," Letang said. "I feel like Im trying to make steps and getting closer to coming back at one point." The last month has been particularly difficult for his family. "When you see your mom crying or your wife, any of my family members, its always a tough thing to handle," Letang said. "Everbody is really careful, like I cant even lift the luggage without them trying to help me out. Otherwise its just been mentally tough a little bit." Letang said his wife found him on the ground the morning before the team flew to Los Angeles and his mother-in-law, who is a nurse and was also on the trip, took care of him. "I was not able to function," Letang said. "The day before I was totally fine, I was practicing. I woke up and didnt expect that would happen. I went in the car and went to Los Angeles and thought it would clear up but it never did." Letang, from Montreal, has 54 goals and 173 assists in 419 games in eight seasons with the Penguins. He signed a $58 million, eight-year contract extension last summer, but has been plagued by injuries this season, missing 19 games with an elbow infection and a lower-body injury before the stroke. Letangs most recent game was Jan. 27 against Buffalo. After being a Norris Trophy finalist last season, he has 10 goals -- matching a career high -- and 18 assists in 34 games for the Eastern Conference-leading Penguins. "Im not going to say its not a really good season for me," Letang said. "Two of (my injuries) were kind of bad luck, but honestly, if I have the chance to come back this year and play, its going to be great. I want to make sure I forget all about the three-quarters of the season I missed." Lamar Jackson Jersey . CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. Hayden Hurst Ravens Jersey . The 27-year-old hit .209 in 86 at-bats last year after missing the 2010 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-...rown-Jr-Jersey/. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday. Orlando Brown Jr. Jersey . - Tiger Woods only made it through 10 holes Thursday — this time because of the weather, not his back. Jaleel Scott Ravens Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.Scotland U21 head coach Ricky Sbragia is hopeful three of his charges can quickly cement their places in the senior squad. Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney has become a regular at his club this season and the 18-year-old, capped at U19 level, has been included in Gordon Strachans squad for the home friendly against Denmark on March 29.Sbragia is preparing for the forthcoming European U21 Championship qualifying matches against France and Northern Ireland, but is happy to see Tierney, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Oliver Burke. earn their chance with Strachans side. We took Tierney to the Czech Republic with the U18s, he was involved in the two games, Sbragia said. Kieran Tierney is now established in the Celtic first-team He has, over the last three or four months, been thrown him into Celtics first team. He would have been with us, the 21s, but for me I would love him not to play at 21s. I would love him to keep continuing to play in the A squad.I think that is what its all about. We know the importance of results, I am not saying everything is always about development.But for Kieran, even Burkey - I watched him at Leeds three or four weeks ago and he did extremely well when he came on a substitute - what an opportunity to go and play at the top level of international football.ddddddddddddScotland U21 captain John McGinn has also been drafted into the full squad for the Denmark match, but despite the importance of the game in France on March 24 - Scotland sit fourth in Group 3 with five points from four games - Sbragia did not consider requesting the Hibernian midfielder to bolster qualification chances. Hibs John McGinn has been a stand out in the Championship this season Sbragia said: People were saying, would you want him for France? No, I wouldnt want him for France. I wouldnt deny him that opportunity, to be fully fit to report for the A squad.I think it is fantastic with John, how he has performed for Hibs over the season and what a fantastic opportunity it is. I am delighted for him, he is a lovely lad. He really deserves it. He has worked so hard to be there. Also See: Scotland latest Scotland fixtures Scotland stats Table Live on Sky Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '