Canadiens' Kirby Dach has knee surgery, expected to return next season

Canadian PressOctober 31, 2023 - 3:26pm

Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach, center, drives between Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard, left, and center Ben Meyers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP)

The Montreal Canadiens say forward Kirby Dach is expected to be ready for the start of the next NHL season after undergoing knee surgery.

General manager Kent Hughes says the surgery was performed Tuesday in New York and a full recovery is expected before the 2024-25 season begins.

Dach sustained tears in the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments of his right knee when he was checked into the Blackhawks' bench by defenceman Jarred Tinordi during the first period of Montreal's home opener against Chicago on Oct. 14.

Dach had two assists in two games this season, slotting in as Montreal's second-line centre behind Nick Suzuki.

The 22-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., recorded 14 goals and 24 assists in 58 games last season, his first with the Canadiens.

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