The former Lightning goalie on Sunday fractured two vertebra in his back while body surfing off Anna Maria Island in Manatee County. The prognosis apparently is good after surgery Tuesday at Tampa General Hospital to ease pressure on a "pinched" spinal chord.

According to the team, Jablonski was walking (obviously, carefuly) on Wednesday morning and should be able to return home later this week. The Lightning even provided a quote:

"I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, thoughts and prayers during what has been perhaps the scariest time of my life," Jablonski said. "Thanks to a great medical team and surgical staff at Tampa General Hospital, I have had wonderful treatment and care and I look forward to going home and playing with my children very soon."

Jablonski, 41, was the Lightning's primary goalie in its inaugural 1992-93 season. He was 8-24-4 with a 3.97 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage. He played 15 games in 1993-94 before being traded to Toronto for cash.