Minnesota Wild defenceman Keith Ballard was released from hospital Wednesday afternoon, one day after sustaining an injury against the New York Islanders.

Ballard has a concussion and a few facial fractures and will be out of action indefinitely, according to the Wild.

The 32-year-old may require surgery; however, doctors need to wait a few days to allow the swelling to subside.

Ballard left Tuesday's game with 11:56 left in the second after being driven hard into the boards by Islanders left winger Matt Martin. A stretcher was sent on to the ice, but Ballard was able to get up and headed to the dressing room with the help of the Wild training staff.

Ballard was conscious and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for further evaluation and observation following the game.

The native of Baudette, MN, has one assist and a minus-3 rating through 14 games this season.