Kesler undergoes successful hip surgery

#13_Sundin

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -Canucks center Ryan Kesler underwent successful hip surgery in Colorado on Tuesday and might return for the playoffs.

He's out for the rest of the regular season, but Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault hopes the forward's recovery time will be on the short end of the range.

"The operation went very well," Vigneault said. "The time frame is 12-to-16 weeks. With him being a healthy young man, we are shooting for 12."

There are about 10 weeks left in the regular season. The Canucks entered play Tuesday with a one-point lead over Calgary atop the Northwest Division.

The 22-year-old Kesler had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. If he continued to play through the injury, he would've risked causing damage to the cartilage that lines the socket of the hip. That could have shortened his career.

In 48 games this season, Kesler had six goals and 10 assists.
----------------------------------------------
Get better soon Ryan

nater

Being A canucklehead (something my brother and a friend used to call me). This makes me very excited. he is an Outsanidng young player who is very underrated and is in the middle of a break out year. Hope he ruturns and brings home a cup

#13_Sundin

^^ He actually really is underrated and actually might bring home the Cup this year. Again get better soon Ryan