Avalanche activate F Darcy Tucker off IR

Nov 11, 2009 - 11:10 PM DENVER(AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche have activated Darcy Tucker from the injured reserve list after he missed eight games with a concussion.

Tucker was available for the Avs' game at Chicago on Wednesday night. Colorado also placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve with a hurt shoulder.

Tucker's face smashed into the glass when he was ridden into the boards by Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu on Oct. 23. Team doctors and trainers placed a neck brace on Tucker, who lay motionless for several minutes, and strapped him to a backboard.

The NHL suspended Ruutu three games for a boarding infraction.