Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Hockey Club front-line injury luck has run out — and it's a doozy.
Utah's leading goal scorer Dylan Guenther is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, the team announced Friday.
Guenther has a team-high 16 goals this season, along with 18 assists. His 34 total points is third on the team.
The injury occurred during Wednesday's loss to the Florida Panthers after a collision with Aleksander Barkov. Guenther is expected to be back sometime this season.
"It's too long, but not that long," head coach André Tourigny said.
The 21-year-old forward, who signed an eight-year extension in September worth $57 million, has blossomed in his second season in the NHL. He's combined with Logan Cooley and Jack McBain to form one of Utah's most productive lines and has been key to Utah's improved power play unit. He has scored a team-high seven goals on the man advantage this season.
"He will be in good hands," Tourigny said. "Mentally is the toughest part. But he's here this morning, starting his rehab and stuff. It is what it is."
Guenther will be the first Utah forward to miss a game due to injury (Clayton Keller and Matias Maccelli both missed a contest with illness).
Touriny was asked by this reporter (sorry, Utah fans) about that forward injury luck on Wednesday morning — luck that quickly came to an end.
"I should have shut the hell up," Tourigny joked on Friday.
To try and help fill the void left by Guenther, Utah has recalled Josh Doan from the AHL's Tucson Roadrummer. Doan started the season in Utah, recording one goal and one assist in nine games before being sent down to the AHL.
"I want to see him play with a lot of pace," Tourigny said. "I want him to get on the forecheck, to get some touch inside. He has really quick hands. He makes quick decisions with the puck. He's the kind of guy you never have enough of. I'm really happy to have him back."
In 25 games with the Roadrunners this season, Doan has eight goals and 13 assists. and was named an AHL All-Star earlier this week. That was a positive sign after Utah sent him down to try and regain some confidence. Doan started the season strong with the Hockey Club — even scoring a thrilling equalizer in the closing minutes of Utah's second game, leading to an overtime win — but that start put some extra weight on his shoulders.
"He put so much pressure on himself. He wanted to do so well," Tourigny said. "He just dug himself in a deeper hole. So I hope —and I'm sure because he's such a smart kid — that he learned from it, and he will be better off for it. He's a really good player and he will help us."
Doan will skate on the team's second line with Barrett Hayton and Matias Maccelli.
"Obviously, come out with a different perspective," Doan said. "Go down and work on things that they talk to you about, and try to grow your game in a better way. You just got to come in and get back to your game and just trust yourself."
