Skip to main content

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matt Frattin gets taken out by Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Joni Pitkanen during a March 28 gameNathan Denette/The Canadian Press

Caroline Hurricanes defenceman Joni Pitkanen is out for the rest of the season after breaking his left heel trying to beat an icing call Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes, who are five points out of a playoff spot, say he will be out 10 to 12 weeks.

Pitkanen was hurt when he raced down the ice and went hard into the boards with the Troy Brouwer of the Washington Capitals near him.

He was on the ice in obvious pain and was taken off on a stretcher with his hands covering his face.

Pitkanen – who missed 14 games during the past two months with a lower body injury – has one goal and eight assists in 22 games.

Interact with The Globe