Chicago Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday and is expected to miss several months, the team announced.
Dach sustained a right wrist fracture during Canada's pre-tournament exhibition game versus Russia at the world junior tournament last week. Chicago's team physician, Dr. Michael Terry, expects Dach to resume "hockey-related activities" in approximately four to five months.
The St. Albert, Alta., native skated in 64 games as a rookie with the Blackhawks last season, registering eight goals and 23 points. He was eligible to play for Canada's world junior team, but the Blackhawks chose not to release him.
This year, with the NHL season still more than two weeks away, Chicago loaned Dach to Canada for the tournament, in which Canada aims to defend its gold medal. But before preliminary action even began, Dach was ruled out due to his injury.
Chicago selected Dach with the third overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.