Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev underwent successful surgery to repair both the broken tibia and fibia in his left leg after sustaining the injury Wednesday, the team announced.
The Lightning said he returned to Tampa Bay to begin rehabilitation and there is no timeline for his return at this time.
Sergachev suffered the injury Wednesday night against the New York Rangers, where he took a fall as he tried to make a hit, landing awkwardly on his left leg. The 25-year-old had to be stretchered off the ice.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, the defenceman made an emotional post on his personal Instagram account with his thoughts on his latest setback.
“Oh man, why me? Why now? After all the games missed, coming back and getting injured again, feels unfair, feels terrible. Trying to stay calm and positive, but it’s impossible. After doing everything right I get this,” Sergachev wrote in the post. “The universe is unpredictable I guess, and has its own plan, but [expletive] the universe man. I know I’ll come back stronger and I know I’ll play better than before, but it’s tough right now, and it’s gonna be tough tomorrow.
“We all fight our own battles and this is mine. I’ll win, always do. Pain meds are good [though], if I was in the forest by myself I’d be dead, crazy innit?! Wanted to write how I feel here, don’t know why, but just wanted to let people that care about me know! I appreciate all of your messages. Thanks to the medical staff.”
Sergachev had returned Wednesday after missing the previous 17 games with a leg injury sustained in December.
The Russian defenceman is in his seventh season with the Lightning. He has played 475 career games, including four contests with the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him ninth overall in the 2016 NHL draft.
— With files from the Associated Press
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