Yahoo Sports Hurricanes Center Jack Drury Out For Few Weeks Following Hand Surgery
The Carolina Hurricanes will be without centerman Jack Drury for the foreseeable future after the 24-year-old forward underwent hand surgery today, per head coach Rod Brind'Amour.
"He's either had or is having hand surgery today," Brind'Amour said following Wednesday's practice. "He's going to be out. I can't tell you how long, but he broke something in his thumb."
UPDATE: On Friday morning, the Canes reported that Drury underwent surgery on his hand, performed by Dr. Harrison Tuttle of Raleigh Orthopaedic and is expected to miss at least a few weeks.
Drury suffered the injury after blocking a shot in the first period of Tuesday night's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Drury managed to play one more shift following that block, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the game before the start of the second period.
"His willingness to do that kind of stuff... he's a tough kid," Brind'Amour said.
Drury has three goals and nine points this season and was leading the team in faceoff win percentage among centers (56.4%) and also had the most shot blocks among the forwards (19).
He averaged a little over 14 minutes per game heading into Tuesday and he plays a roll on both the power play and penalty kill, so his loss is one that will be felt.
"He plays all situations," Brind'Amour said. "He might not be on the first power play unit and he may not be the first guy we throw over on the penalty kill, but he's in all of that and it's really important.
"He's a good filler. I don't mean that in a negative way. It's a real positive thing. We need everyone to pick up that role. I don't think it's going to be just one guy."
With Drury sidelined, the Canes have called up Tyson Jost from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, he practiced as the fourth-line center today, and they will also be looking to Jesperi Kotkaniemi to step up once again as the 2C.
Related: 2C or Not 2C: Can Jesperi Kotkaniemi Bounce Back For The Carolina Hurricanes?
