Pronger, Versteeg surgeries called successful
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Pronger, Versteeg surgeries called successful
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Defenseman Chris Pronger (back) and winger Kris Versteeg (sports hernia) had surgical procedures Thursday that were deemed "successful" by Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.
A disc fragment that was pressing against a nerve was removed from Pronger’s back. He will begin a walking rehab in a few days, Holmgren said.
In six weeks, Pronger, 36, who has six years remaining on his contract, will start a core-strengthening program, the GM added.
“A full recovery is anticipated,” Holmgren said.
The procedure was similar to the one goalie Michael Leighton underwent last year. He had some discomfort during the season, but played well in the AHL.
It is the fourth surgery performed on Pronger in 9½ months. He also had surgery on his foot, hand and knee.
Before the surgery, Pronger said he was glad "the year from hell" was coming to a close.
"Hopefully a good summer of training and rehab on the various issues that I’ve had this year will rectify all those (problems)," he said earlier in the week, "and I can come into camp next year in a lot better shape, a lot healthier, and able to hopefully play 82 games next year.”
This season, Pronger played in just 50 games _ third-fewest in his 17-year career _ and three playoff contests.
Holmgren said Versteeg had surgery to repair two tears in his abdominal wall, and that he will begin rehabbing in 10 days.
The Flyers have had six players undergo operations in the last two days. On Wednesday, Leighton (hip), Mike Richards (wrist), Blair Betts (finger) and Andrej Meszaros (wrist) underwent procedures.
Holmgren expects to learn Friday if Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell need hip surgery.
With all these ailing bodies, it now seems pretty amazing that the Flyers finished 47-23-12 this season before a poor playoff showing.
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- probably not your dumb - wow, that says it all.
— P Even - 36 YEARS..and counting— attila
- as much as i like Pronger, to center a team around the hope that he'll be healthy is foolhardy. i hope he is healthy next season, but a plan B is necessary.— stonelamb
- Agree.
He's 36 yrs. old, and beat-up.— wordsword - Abdominal tears in hockey players seem to end carrers, i.e Mikael Renberg - never the same player as abdominal surgery— kadhia
Pronger will have a good bounce back season in 2011-12, as well as, Richards and a re-signed Ville Leino. I am not a huge Kris Versteg fan yet. He was erratic in play this season. Maybe he was injured or did not fit in the FLYERS system. I am looking forward to the FLYERS getting their so-called first rate goaltender. GO FLYERS!!!— Phillyflashgordon- This is an old team and unfortunately, they either traded away draft picks or traded away promising farm players to leave them high and dry for the immediate future. They will continue to get older and more vulnerable to injuries as time goes by.— macthefed
