The St. John's IceCaps are ready to hit home ice Friday night for the first time this season, but they'll be doing so without their captain.

Jason Jaffray missed most of last season due to a neck injury.

He was hoping to be back for Friday night's game at Mile One Centre against the Adirondack Phantoms, but team doctors said he's not ready yet.

Jaffray said he's anxious to get going again.

"It means a lot. I mean, you're always a little bit nervous about how you're going to do once you're out there," he said.

"It doesn't matter how much you practice or work out throughout the summer, until you get out there and you're going full-tilt with the guys, you never know how your body is going to react."

Doctors said Jaffrey should be ready to hit the ice within a week.

The team captain said he can't wait to skate.

"That's what you miss as a hockey player, is the feeling of going out on the ice and hearing the fans cheering as you come out for the game, even the national anthem … It might sound a little corny, but I really miss it, and I'm really looking forward to the next week," he said.