New York Islanders defenceman Adam Pelech is expected to be out for the remainder of the season, after taking a skate blade to the face on Jan. 14 in a game against the New York Rangers, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.
The 21-year-old was clipped by Derek Stepan‘s skate after Pelech dove to stop a chance for Stepan in front of the Islanders net.
Pelech stayed in the game after getting stitches in his right cheek, but hasn’t played since.
The Islanders placed him on injured reserve Tuesday and did medical tests Wednesday.
The Islanders’ third-round pick in 2012 (65th overall), Pelech has two assists in seven games since being called up from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Jan. 1.
He was brought in after the Islanders put Johnny Boychuk on IR. They’ve since lost another blue-liner, Travis Hamonic to injury as well, though they’ve both begun skating with the team.
Hamonic is hoping to return before the all-star break.
