The Chicago Blackhawks were hoping to get defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk back in their lineup for the postseason run, but those hopes were dashed on Friday night with news that he had sustained a wrist injury during his rehab assignment with the Rockford IceHogs.
Blackhawks Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry issued a statement on van Riemsdyk’s condition:
“Trevor van Riemsdyk suffered a right wrist injury in a recent game. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday, April 7. We anticipate a full recovery and a return to full hockey activities in approximately eight weeks.”
That eight week timetable would effectively end the defenseman’s season, and represents a terrible break for the youngster as he was trying to work his way back into the lineup. Van Riemsdyk suffered a broken kneecap during a game on November 16, and in recent weeks he was trying to work his way back into game shape.
The ailment means that the Blackhawks will have to stick with their current crop of defensemen going into the postseason, with David Rundblad likely serving as the team’s seventh blue liner with Kimmo Timonen and Michal Rozsival both potentially slotting out occasionally for rest during the playoffs.
