Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jonathan Drouin will be out for up to four weeks with a fractured right thumb, X-rays confirmed Monday. The injury occurred at training camp Thursday when he collided with a teammate during two-on-two practice.
“It wasn’t a big hit or anything,” Drouin told the Tampa Bay Lightning official website. “I just lost balance and fell on my hand.”
The 19-year-old playmaker will miss the entire preseason and likely the start of the regular season.
“It’s very disappointing for the kid and disappointing for us because we saw the improvements in him, and we wanted to see how that transformed out on the ice,” associate coach Rick Bowness said.
Drouin, whom the Lightning picked third overall in the 2013 NHL draft, was named the league’s top prospect over the summer. The left winger is expected to make an immediate impact in the league, and there has been plenty of Calder Cup buzz about him.
A little pain in his thumb won’t stop Drouin from staying in shape, though, as he has been skating on his own every day since the injury to prepare for his return.
Photo via Jeff Griffith/USA TODAY Sports Images
