Just five months after undergoing brain surgery, Alden Hirschfeld believes he’s back and better than ever.

The 28-year-old forward had his pro hockey career put on hold after he suffered an unexpected seizure during a game on Jan. 8. On March 14, the Sylvania native had surgery to remove a tangle of arteries and veins in his brain that had caused the seizure.

Just five months later, Hirschfeld is back skating full-tilt. Hirschfeld’s remarkable recovery hit a new high point when he received clearance from his doctors to resume all contact late last week.

“I’m back to playing regularly, skating with contact,” he said. “It’s awesome. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. It’s finally here. Post-surgery, I’m super healthy. Now it’s just great to still be able to play and move on.”

Hirschfeld, who has played three seasons for the Toledo Walleye, is champing at the bit to put an exclamation point on an amazing journey.

“I’m hungry and excited,” Hirschfeld said. “If the season started tomorrow, I’d be ready to go.”

Dan Jones, the Walleye’s strength and conditioning coach, has played a pivotal role in Hirschfeld’s comeback. Jones credited Hirschfeld’s intensity, focus, and work ethic.

“This guy is dynamic. He came back from this and I was concerned at first,” Jones said. “But his passion for his craft, his internal drive, and desire to succeed, I have not seen in many guys. He came back and rebounded so quickly. He is 100 percent in. He is totally engaged. He’s back, strong and agile.”

Hirschfeld, a Sylvania Northview graduate, was enjoying the best season of his four-year pro career when he collapsed on the bench during a game while playing for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Griffins. Doctors determined that a malformation in the brain caused the seizure and the 6-foot-1 and 205-pound forward opted to have surgery.

Hirschfeld was off skates from January until June.

“That was the longest I’ve gone without playing a hockey game since I was 3,” Hirschfeld said.

Now he is back on the ice at Tam-O-Shanter four days a week and does lifting and conditioning on the other days at Jones’ facility in Sylvania.

“I’ve ramped it up here lately in terms of skating,” Hirschfeld said. “I think I’m almost past where I was at this time last summer. I feel just as good if not better. That is what I hoped for.”

Jones admits that he was taken aback when he saw a gruesome photo of the surgical area on Hirschfeld’s head after the operation.

“That’s when it went from scary to really scary,” Jones said. “When he came back, my goal was to separate him from the other guys. I wanted him one on one, so we could tiptoe through the tulips. But he never missed a stride. I did not expect him to rebound like he did and propel himself beyond his previous physical stature.

“I’m shocked at how quickly he has responded. I’m sure he struggled with it at times. His story from brain surgery to play pro sports may be unparalleled. It’s a remarkable story of perseverance.”

Jones said during some summer workouts, Hirschfeld would wear his hooded sweatshirt while exercising in sweltering conditions.

“It would be 105 degrees and he would work out for an hour,” Jones said. “He can flat bring it. He’s a monster.”

While other teammates are enjoying the final few weeks of summer before the start of training camp, Hirschfeld said he’s ready to go now.

“I want to play a game tomorrow,” he said.

Hirschfeld, who is technically a free agent, hopes to know within a few weeks where he will be playing this season. His agent is in talks with officials in the Detroit Red Wings organization.

“I plan on staying in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Toledo organizations,” he said. “I’ll let my agent and the organization figure it out. Hopefully, it works out. It looks good.”

The forward said he already envisions what it could be like on opening night at the Huntington Center.

“I can’t wait to hear them call us out onto the ice,” he said. “That would be unbelievable. It’s close now.”

Hirschfeld admitted he went through some dark days, but he credited family and friends for keeping his spirits high.

“There’s always things you worry about and get upset about,” he said. “You don’t know what the exact answer is. But [negative] things happen to a lot of people. Being close to my family has helped. The good Lord has helped me. I trust in Him. That pushes me to work hard and enjoy life.

“The hockey community is a small world,” he said. “To have the support and love of the community has helped me get through these tough times. I’m super excited to play again.”