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London Knights’ Max Domi not expected to miss regular-season games due to banged-up ankle

neate sager

After the so-called 2012 injury draft, there's probably a heightened sensitivity any time a highly touted junior sustains so much as a paper cut. There was reason to fear the worst when the London Knights centre Max Domi, a potential first-rounder next summer, injured his ankle in a pre-season game last week.

From the sounds of it, Domi, who was one of Team Canada's offensive leaders during last month's Memorial of Ivan Hlinka under-18 tournament, is going to be fine. This is one of those ailments that just needs rest time.

From Ryan Pyette:

"It's for precautionary reasons," London GM Mark Hunter said.

The Knights anticipate Domi will be back in time for the regular-season opener against the Erie Otters on Sept. 21, but he's expected to miss the club's final two preseason games against the Plymouth Whalers -on Friday night in London and Saturday night in St. Thomas.

Domi, the dynamic forward who scored a hat trick in his first OHL game last fall, limped off the ice after taking an awkward hit from Sting overage forward Craig Hottot in the third period. (London Free Press)

Four of the first 10 choices in Pittsburgh in June missed significant stretches of the season due to injury, playing a combined 88 regular-season games in the CHL. Top pick Nail Yakupov was limited to 42 games with the OHL's Sarnia Sting due to back and knee injuries; teammate and Montreal Canadiens No. 3 overall choice Alex Galchenyuk played only eight games total after blowing out a knee. Two of the first defencemen taken out of the CHL, Toronto Maple Leafs pick Morgan Rielly (18 games in Moose Jaw before needing ACL surgery) and Tampa Bay Lightning selection Slater Koekkoek (26 for Peterborough before tearing up his shoulder) also played less than half of the schedule. Other players who needed to play to make their case to go on the Friday night did lose draft stock, though. Chances are, this season won't see so many touted players go down, but people will be playing closer attention.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.