The captain’s return will be put on hold for the time being, as Rod Brind’Amour underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage this morning in Raleigh. He is expected to return by Oct. 10, when the Hurricanes open the regular season.
Brind’Amour tore the ACL in his left knee Feb. 14 vs. Pittsburgh during his first shift and missed the rest of the regular season. He rehabbed for months and recently told the Raleigh News & Observer that he felt as good as he ever had, but he evidently managed to tweak the same knee over the weekend.
Dr. Marty Isbell, the team surgeon who performed Brind’Amour’s surgery in February, removed the torn meniscus at Rex Hospital this morning. Brind’Amour is expected to make a full recovery and be back in time for the regular season opener against Florida, but is a question mark for the ‘Canes preseason match-ups. The team’s first is Sept. 24 against Washington.
