Edmonton Oilers' rookie sensation Connor McDavid faces months on the sideline after breaking his collarbone.
McDavid, who was the No 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, was injured on Tuesday when he was slammed into the boards in the second period of Edmonton's 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 18-year-old carried the puck down the left wing and fired a shot on goal, before being checked, falling to the ice and sliding into the end boards.
McDavid is expected to have surgery this week that, according to Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli, will require the insertion of plates and screws.
He had scored five goals and added seven assists in his first 13 games in the professional ranks, and on Monday was named rookie of the month for October.
"He'll be out indefinitely, not week-to-week, we're talking about months," Chiarelli said. "Don't have a particular time frame, but as I said, plural, months. He's a strong kid, mentally and physically. He's still developing and he's going to come back stronger.
"What's important is just to move forward. The guys have to step up They're going to miss Connor. He will be back.
"Connor is such a special player at such a young age that it's disappointing. Today feels like a loss. We won last night but today feels like a loss. But we'll get by it."
