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Blue Jackets' Leclaire out for the season
Team also announces Mason will miss YoungStars Game
Tuesday,
January 20, 2009 12:56 PM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Blue Jackets goaltender Pascal Leclaire will have surgery on his right ankle and miss the
remainder of the 2008-09 season,
The Dispatch has learned.
The report was confirmed by Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson this morning in Edmonton, where the Jackets will play the Oilers tonight. Leclaire has bone spurs and torn ligaments in his right ankle. The club has tried at least three anti-inflammatory shots to the ankle. Each has provided only temporary relieft. The Blue Jackets, fearing the worst with Leclaire, began pursuit of a goaltender almost two weeks ago, culminating with the weekend acquisition of Wade Dubielewicz off waivers from the New York Islanders. Dubielewicz, a veteran, will serve as rookie Steve Mason's backup the rest of the season. The Blue Jackets had trade talks with Edmonton regarding Mathieu Garon, The Dispatch has learned, but a deal couldn't be struck. Garon was traded to Pittsburgh last week. The Jackets also considered claiming Curtis Sanford off waivers from Vancouver but decided to pass after a meeting of the hockey operations staff. Leclaire's injury list is lengthy. He'll miss the majority of a season for the third time in the past five years. Last season, when he played 54 games, marked the first time since he began playing junior hockey in 1998-99 that he played in more than 50 games. This season, in only 12 games, Leclaire was 4-6-1 with a 3.83 goals-against average and .867 save percentage. The ankle injury -- suffered in a collision with Minnesota's Derek Boogaard during a preseason game -- sapped Leclaire of his quickness going from post-to-post, which is the foundation of his game. Surgery will be performed this week at Cleveland Clinic. It will require 10-12 weeks of rehabilitation, but Leclaire is expected to be ready for training camp. Mason To miss YoungStars Game The Blue Jackets announced this morning that rookie goaltender Steve Mason will not participate in the NHL YoungStars Game, set for this Saturday in Montreal. Mason has had a lingering issue with muscle spasms in his back. He'll make his 14th straight start tonight when the Blue Jackets play Edmonton in Rexall Place. He's expected to get the start on Wednesday in Calgary, too. Story toolsToday’s Top Stories |
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