BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Center Nolan Patrick says a misdiagnosis of a sports hernia injury contributed to the NHL’s top-ranked draft prospect missing more than half of last season.
Patrick had surgery to repair one side of his groin last summer, and now says he also required surgery to repair the other side, which was missed by initial testing. The 18-year-old says he kept quiet about the second injury during the season and decided to make the revelation while attending the NHL’s draft-eligible player combine in Buffalo this week.
The league’s central scouting department ranks Patrick as its top prospect even though he was limited to playing 33 regular-season and four postseason games for Brandon of the Western Hockey League.