The Calgary Flames confirmed today that prospect Sam Bennett needs surgery on his shoulder. He’ll have the operation next week.
“A full recovery and return to play is expected in 4-6 months,” the club wrote in a press release.
That Bennett, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, may require surgery was first reported on Tuesday. The 18-year-old was supposedly injured on Sept. 26 during a preseason game in Vancouver.
But, apparently, Bennett’s issues with the shoulder date back to last season, when he was playing for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. (Except that, apparently, is news to the junior club.)
“Sam has a shoulder injury and has been dealing with this for some time,” Flames GM Brad Treliving said earlier this week. “One of the great characteristics of this young lad and one of the things that draws us to him is his competitiveness and I think he’s probably been dealing with this for longer than he’s wanted to let on.”
Related: Treliving would be ‘shocked’ if Bennett sticks with Flames in 14-15