Forward Kasper Bjorkqvist is expected to be out for six months after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced on Friday.
The six-month timeline would have Bjorkqvist returning in May. With the AHL's regular season ending in early April, Bjorkqvist's rookie season is likely over.
Bjorkqvist only appeared in six games this season and hasn't played since Oct. 19. It's not clear what caused his injury. He recorded one goal, two penalty minutes, and a minus-3 rating in his six games.
Bjorkqvist's surgery is the latest update to the growing injury list in Wilkes-Barre. Goaltender Emil Larmi hasn't played since Oct. 25 and is still being evaluated for an unknown illness. Forward Ben Sexton hasn't played this season and has an upper-body injury. Forward Thomas Di Pauli hasn't played since Oct. 13 and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Forward Jamie Devane hasn't played this season and is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph hasn't played since Oct. 19 and is out indefinitely with mononucleosis.
