Rookie forward Frederik Gauthier of the Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is expected to miss two weeks while recovering from a broken jaw.
Gauthier, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound center, did not play in the team's 6-5 shootout victory over Halifax on Sunday. The 17-year-old reportedly suffered his injury after taking a shot to the face on Saturday during a 4-1 victory over the Quebec Remparts.
Gauthier underwent surgery on Sunday evening.
Gauthier, who was an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list in the QMJHL, was certainly opening some eyes this season with 10 goals, 20 points and a plus-12 rating in 18 games for the Oceanic.
"He goes right through the middle and knocks over players like they were bowling pins," NHL Central Scouting's Chris Bordeleau told NHL.com. "Some say he could go among the top 15 in the draft."
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