Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Dan Boyle underwent wrist surgery Sunday and is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.
The NHL team said the successful surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Ira Guttentag and hand specialist Dr. Richard Gray at University Community Hospital.
Boyle's injury occured following a freak accident at the end of Saturday's 2-1 pre-season loss to the Washington Capitals. He was injured in the Lightning locker room when distracted while hanging up his skates. A skate slipped off of the hook and hit him in his left wrist, cutting three tendons.
Boyle, set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, is coming off a career-high season where he put up 63 points (20 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games.