RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes will have to continue their march toward the top of the Southeast Division without defenseman Bret Hedican for a while.
The Hurricanes on Thursday announced Hedican will undergo finger surgery Friday and is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks following the procedure.
Hedican will have a torn ligament in his left ring finger repaired by Dr. Randy Viola at the Vail Valley Medical Center in Colorado. He already has missed five games this season due to an assortment of other injuries.
A 10th-round pick of St. Louis in 1988, Hedican has recorded eight assists and 26 penalty minutes in 37 games this season. The 36-year-old has collected 52 goals, 269 points and 777 penalty minutes in 909 career contests with the Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and Hurricanes.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Hurricanes entered Thursday second in the Southeast with 46 points, eight behind the Atlanta Thrashers.
Defense