NHL-Chicago’s Sharp faces fitness race after surgery

Chicago Blackhawks forward
Patrick Sharp underwent a surgical appendectomy on Monday and
could miss the start of the National Hockey League (NHL) season,
the team said on Monday.

Blackhawks head physician Dr Michael Terry said Sharp, the
team’s alternate captain, had the procedure after experiencing
some abnormal abdominal discomfort.

“The surgery was successful and I anticipate a full recovery
in approximately three to four weeks,” Terry said in a statement
issued by the Blackhawks.

Should Sharp require a full four weeks to recover he would
miss the team’s first two games of the 2011-12 season and return
for Chicago’s Oct. 13 game against Winnipeg.

The NHL season starts on Oct. 6.

The 29-year-old All-Star, who signed a five-year contract
extension last month, was eighth in NHL scoring last season with
34 goals while adding 37 assists for a career-high 71 points in
74 regular-season games.

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Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13092011/2/nhl-chicago-sharp-faces-fitness-race-surgery.html