Eric Staal encouraged by brother Marc's recovery from concussion

Marc Staal, the New York Rangers' injured defenceman, has been skating regularly again and that's welcome news to the man who put him out of action, his brother Eric Staal.

Eric, the Carolina Hurricanes' captain, was asked about his younger brother's status prior to Tuesday's game in Calgary against the Flames.

It was in late February in a match-up between the Rangers and Hurricanes that Eric ran into his brother along he boards knocking him out of the game.

Marc Staal was able to play in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs but was bothered by post-concussion symptoms at training camp and has yet to play this season.

"He's been skating five, six times now," Eric said. "He's making progress."

Marc Staal had a career-best 29 points last season and was selected to play in the NHL all-star game. He has told reporters he hopes to play again this season.