April 09, 2013 - 5:42 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild right wing Dany Heatley will miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs following surgery on his left shoulder.
The team initially hoped to have the 32-year-old forward back in time for the playoffs, but Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher announced just before Minnesota hosted the Chicago Blackhawks that Heatley won't return this spring.
The surgery was done on Tuesday by Dr. Tony Miniaci at the Cleveland Clinic. Fletcher said Heatley is expected to be fully recovered for the start of next season.
Heatley was hurt at San Jose last Wednesday when a tussle broke out. Sharks defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was fined by the NHL for slashing Heatley in the closing seconds. The injury occurred in the ensuing scrum.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013