Boeser likely to miss start of season for Canucks with hand injury

Forward expected to need 3-4 weeks to recover

by Kevin Woodley / NHL.com Independent Correspondent

VANCOUVER — Brock Boeser likely will be out at the start of the season for the Vancouver Canucks after he had surgery on his hand Monday.

The forward is expected to need 3-4 weeks to recover. The Canucks open the season at the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 12, and that timeline could keep him out 3-7 games.

Boeser was injured during a training camp practice Saturday and held out of a scrimmage later that day. He was playing right wing on a line with center J.T. Miller and left wing Tanner Pearson.

The 25-year-old had 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games last season while struggling with the declining health of his father, Duke Boeser, who died May 27 after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

“Last year was obviously a very tough year mentally and stuff,” Boeser said Thursday. “It’s just a lot different. Obviously with my dad’s passing there’s not as much to worry about, so I can really focus on hockey and my mom is going to be able to travel and see me play in a lot of places and come out here, so that’s really exciting for me. Just being able to really focus on the game now and help our team win is really exciting.”

Boeser agreed to a three-year, $19.95 million contract ($6.65 million average annual value) on July 1. Selected by Vancouver in the first round (No. 23) of the 2015 NHL Draft, he has 256 points (121 goals, 135 assists) in 324 regular-season games and 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Source: nhl.com