Blackhawks' Hossa to have surgery

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The Blackhawks announced Thursday that Marian Hossa will undergo shoulder surgery Friday that is expected to keep the winger sidelined the first two months of the 2009-10 season.

Hossa, whom the Hawks signed to a 12-year, $62.8 million free-agent contract July 1, has a small tear in his right rotator cuff that he played with last season while as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday that he hoped Hossa could rehab the shoulder and avoid surgery that will sideline the 30-year-old for the next four months.

"Marian's injury did not respond sufficiently to our non-operative treatment over the last three weeks so we have collectively decided [Thursday] to go ahead with the surgery," Bowman said in a statement. "Marian is a franchise player and we want what is best for him and the Blackhawks long-term. This was a mutual decision and one we feel very confident is the right one."

"Marian has a small right rotator cuff tear that he has been battling for a while and because he is not at 100 percent with non-operative treatment he is undergoing operative treatment [Friday]," Hawks team physician Michael Terry said. "With this type of tear we anticipate a four-month post-operative recovery period, after which we expect his shoulder to be 100 percent. This is the best thing for Marian and his career long term."

Hossa led the Detroit Red Wings with 40 goals last season before signing the richest contract in Hawks history.

"After consulting with my family and the Blackhawks, I have no doubt that this is the correct decision," Hossa said. "I plan on being a member of the Blackhawks for a very long time, which is why I want to get this done and begin my career in Chicago at 100 percent."

 

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"Marian's surgery [Friday] went as well as we had hoped and he is right on track for the anticipated recovery we had planned on, which is approximately four months," said Michael Terry, the Hawks' team physician who performed the surgery.
Terry said Thursday the injury was a "small right rotator cuff tear" and that the anticipated post-operative recovery period is four months. Sources have said it typically takes four to six months for this type of injury to be completely healed. Boston's Phil Kessel underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum May 21 and is expected to be sidelined six months.

If Hossa returns on Terry's schedule, he would miss the Hawks' first 22 regular season games and could make his debut Nov. 25 against the San Jose Sharks. That game is in the middle of the Hawks' annual circus trip. The first chance for Hawks fans to get a first-hand look at the player who led the Wings with 40 goals last season would be Dec. 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center.

If the rehabilitation lingers for six months, Hossa wouldn't return until late January and would miss more than 50 of the Hawks' 82 regular season games.

Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, who signed off on Hossa's deal, said Friday that the team did not give Hossa a physical at the time of the signing.

"Dr. Terry looked at the MRIs before we signed," Wirtz said. "There was still a chance he didn't need an operation. It's a small tear, we knew that. We thought it was 50-50 he could play with it. We knew exactly what it was. It wasn't where it was questionable or it would be severe. Dr. Terry, one of his specialties is shoulders, and he said he'll miss 19 to 20 games. It could be longer, of course. You have to depend on his advice. That's what he's telling us."