For one Chicago Blackhawk, getting back to work in preparation for the playoffs has a meaning beyond hockey. It's an indication his dad is recovering.

Forward Troy Brouwer left the team earlier this month and traveled to Vancouver when his dad fell sick and was hospitalized. While the Hawks were in the stretch run of a magnificent regular season, Brouwer knew where he had to be.

"He needed me to be home, and my family needed me to be home," Brouwer said after his first practice back on Tuesday. "As soon as he was OK, he was the first one to tell me to come back, so it was an easy decision for me."

Brouwer skated with Dave Bolland and Patrick Kane on Tuesday as they will be the Hawks second line come the playoffs. He's in his second full season with the team and registered 22 goals and 18 assists while playing in all meaningful situations for the Blackhawks. He missed the last four contests of the regular season, but he knows he has several days to get ready for the Hawks first playoff game on Friday.

"Family is No. 1 in my life, and I would say in everyone's lives here," Brouwer said. "The team was generous in letting me go home and take as much time as I needed, but I think they're happy to have me back.

"I'm very excited to come back. It means my dad is getting better."

Brouwer's coach, Joel Quenneville, welcomed his second-line winger back with open arms.

"[It's a] challenging time for him," Quenneville said. "Have to commend him on how's he handled it.

"It's positive news too about his dad, and at the same time he's got a couple, three days here to get his game back."

Brouwer said he watched all four games he missed while also getting a chance to skate a couple times and work with his personal trainer. He felt a little rust on Tuesday but is confident he'll be ready for Friday.

And though his dad was ill, it didn't stop him from giving his son some fatherly advice.

"My dad has always been harping on me to take the puck off the wall and go to the net a little bit harder," Brouwer explained.

"When he woke up, it's the first thing he said to me. He just wants me to come, play hard. He's proud of me and he wants me to do well. That's really all he gave me."

Jesse Rogers cover the Blackhawks for ESPNChicago.com.