NHL

Lehtonen won't be out long

LexisNexis Feed TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution
Share This Story

Updated Jul 28, 2009 4:30 AM ET
     
 
The lingering effects of a back injury suffered early last season led to Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen's surgery last week. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said Monday the surgery to repair a herniated disc was not a new injury. "An injury like that can often be treated and that's the end of it," Waddell said. "He started working out [this offseason] and complained of soreness. We got together and talked to him and decided to have surgery." Lehtonen injured his back on Oct. 30 in a game against the New York Rangers and missed nearly two months. Waddell does not expect Lehtonen to miss significant time. Lehtonen, who signed a one-year qualifying contract offer earlier this month, will rest for two weeks and then begin rehabilitation work and could return in four weeks. The Thrashers open training camp in September. "It's not a minor procedure because any time you operate on a back, it's serious. But it's a very common procedure," Waddell said. Lehtonen, 25, underwent the surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital last Monday. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Plas and took approximately 25 minutes. The surgery is similar to the one performed on then-Falcons running back Warrick Dunn in 2007. He was back on the practice field three weeks later. In other club news, the team signed forward Michael Forney to a multi-year contract. A third-round draft pick in 2006, Forney had 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 59 games for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League last season.
Tagged: Kari Lehtonen, Jets

Related Stories

Play Hockey Simulation Game on WhatIfSports


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NHL Videos

Highlights: CHI/SJ Posted: Feb 11, 2012
Watch highlights of the Sharks' 5-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Highlights: DAL/BUF Posted: Feb 11, 2012
Watch highlights of the Sabres' 3-2 SO win over the Stars.

Still Streaking: Red Wings top Ducks Posted: Feb 11, 2012
Joey MacDonald talks to Fox Sports Detroit about Detroit's 19th-straight home vi...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 124.95 Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack
    Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey
    Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt
    Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 11.95 Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick
    Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black
    Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft