The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to being training camp in Halifax Friday with 79 players in tow. Forward Joffrey Lupul will not be among the group departing for Nova Scotia.
Lupul confirmed the news Thursday, which doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone following the team.
“It is with deep regret that I will be unable to attend training camp and start the season with the Leafs due to injury,” Lupul said through an official Maple Leafs’ release. “I pledge to work hard with a view to return to playing this season.
Hockey is the only life I have known. This is an extremely emotional time for me. Accordingly, I will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello reiterated that Lupul will continue to work his way back to the lineup during a media session Thursday.
Lupul missed the Maple Leafs’ final 36 games in 2015-16 with a sports hernia injury. The 32-year-old scored 11 goals and totalled 14 points in 46 games last season.
Lupul joins forward Nathan Horton and defenceman Stephane Robidas on injured reserve. The native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, has two years remaining on his five-year, $26.25-million contract with an annual salary cap hit of $5.25 million.
The Anaheim Ducks originally selected Lupul seventh overall in the 2002 NHL Draft.
Lupul has scored 205 goals and registered 420 points in 701 career NHL games with the Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Maple Leafs.
