Devils’ Will Butcher has season-ending thumb surgery

New Jersey Devils defenceman Will Butcher (8) will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his thumb. (Kathy Willens/AP)

New Jersey Devils defenceman Will Butcher has been shut down for the season after having surgery on his right thumb.

Butcher hasn’t played since suffering the injury while blocking a shot against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 18. His recovery period is expected to be three-to-four months.

The 25-year-old has 21 points and a minus-eight rating in 56 games this season, his third in the NHL.

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