VANCOUVER – Injured Vancouver Canuck Manny Malhotra underwent successful eye surgery Tuesday in New York, but there will likely be other operations before the National Hockey League centre knows if he can play again.
Malhotra was operated on by Dr. Stanley Chang, the surgeon who repaired former NHL defenceman Bryan Berard’s retina in 2000. Berard subsequently underwent seven more surgeries before resuming his career.
Agent Paul Krepelka of the Orr Hockey Group, which represents Malhotra, confirmed Tuesday’s surgery but declined further comment, and the Canucks issued only this statement: “After further consultation with specialists and team doctors, today Vancouver Canucks forward Manny Malhotra underwent a second successful eye procedure. Manny Malhotra’s health continues to be the primary concern of the hockey club. Progress updates will be made available at the appropriate time. No further comment is planned at this time.”
Malhotra was injured March 16 when a puck deflected off the stick of Colorado defenceman Erik Johnson and struck the Canuck’s left eye. His first surgery occurred that night, and Malhotra has been unable to see out of the eye since then.
The Canucks announced last week that Malhotra would not return this season, but have said little else about the career-threatening injury. It may be weeks before the team knows the likelihood of Malhotra resuming his career.
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