Triton
10-18-2005, 02:11 PM
The Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings will have to do without veteran center Jeff Topilko for the next two months.
A 19-year old native of Vegreville, Alberta, Topilko fractured his left fibula in three places after crashing into the end boards during the second period of Saturday night's 4-3 loss to the visiting Calgary Hitmen.
Topilko was hurt driving wide on Calgary defenceman Dylan Yeo, who knocked him off balance with a clean hit and forcing him to hit the boards - feet first.
The injury comes as Topilko, who was Brandon's first round pick in the 2001 bantam draft, may have been playing the best hockey of his four year WHL career.
Topilko, who had one goal and two points in eleven games this season, is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
Still on the injury front, the Wheat Kings should have a number of players back in the lineup this Friday night when they close out a 3-game homestand against the visiting Kootenay Ice.
Defenceman Mark Louis is expected to make his season debut this weekend after his lengthy recovery from a concussion while Tyler Strautman and Corey Courchene skated Monday afternoon and look to return. Meanwhile captain Teegan Moore and Sami Sandell, who is currently leading the club in scoring with seven points in six games, could be a week away from returning to duty. A decision on whether they play this weekend will be made later this week.
A 19-year old native of Vegreville, Alberta, Topilko fractured his left fibula in three places after crashing into the end boards during the second period of Saturday night's 4-3 loss to the visiting Calgary Hitmen.
Topilko was hurt driving wide on Calgary defenceman Dylan Yeo, who knocked him off balance with a clean hit and forcing him to hit the boards - feet first.
The injury comes as Topilko, who was Brandon's first round pick in the 2001 bantam draft, may have been playing the best hockey of his four year WHL career.
Topilko, who had one goal and two points in eleven games this season, is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
Still on the injury front, the Wheat Kings should have a number of players back in the lineup this Friday night when they close out a 3-game homestand against the visiting Kootenay Ice.
Defenceman Mark Louis is expected to make his season debut this weekend after his lengthy recovery from a concussion while Tyler Strautman and Corey Courchene skated Monday afternoon and look to return. Meanwhile captain Teegan Moore and Sami Sandell, who is currently leading the club in scoring with seven points in six games, could be a week away from returning to duty. A decision on whether they play this weekend will be made later this week.