A promising Montreal Canadiens defenceman has had a setback.
Bryce Pickford will undergo shoulder surgery on Thursday and will not participate in on-ice sessions at development camp, the team announced on Wednesday.
Pickford, 20, was the CHL's defenceman of the year this season after registering 83 points (45 goals, 38 assists) in 55 games with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, who fell to Prince Albert in the conference finals one year after winning the league but falling short in the Memorial Cup final.
The Chauvin, Alta., native joined the Canadiens organization as a third-round pick last season.
Meanwhile, forward Tyler Deakos will also stay off the ice at development camp as he rehabs a shoulder surgery of his own, the Canadiens said.
