University of Minnesota Athletics
Grant Potulny Out Until Early March with Shoulder Injury
1/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"We're very disappointed to lose Grant at this critical point of the season," Head Coach Don Lucia said. "We know, however, that no one will work harder at rehab than the team captain. We expect him to have an impact in the lineup when he returns, just like he did a year ago. We'll miss his leadership and his play on the ice, but the good news is he'll be back."
Potulny missed 22 games in the 2002-03 season after suffering a fractured ankle and ligament damage in the season-opener vs. Ohio State on Oct. 12, 2002. He returned from the injury to score 15 goals and eight assists in the season's final 23 games. This season, Potulny is tied for sixth on the team with 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points. His seven power-play goals leads the Golden Gophers and ranks second in the WCHA and fifth in the nation.
The injury is not the first to the Potulny family this season. Freshman teammate Ryan Potulny, Grant's younger brother, suffered an injury to his left knee on Nov. 7, 2003, in Minnesota's 7-3 loss at North Dakota. He has been out of the lineup since Nov. 8. Ryan will be eligible for a medical hardship waiver, if decided upon by Ryan and the coaching staff after future evaluation.
Minnesota continues its six-game home stand this weekend with a pivotal two-game series vs. Wisconsin on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 30-31.
