The toughness, grit and veteran experience of Matt Cooke could be unavailable to the Minnesota Wild for an extended period of time – maybe the rest of the season.
Wild head coach Mike Yeo ruled Cooke (lower-body injury) out for Tuesday night’s home game against the Blackhawks and indicated his veteran winger could be out for a while.
Mike Yeo says Matt Cooke out tonight and could end up being a longer term injury.
— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) February 3, 2015
Michael Russo is reporting that Cooke could miss the rest of the season for what he has been led to believe is an injury that will require sports hernia surgery.
“I’m hearing via sources that the veteran will likely need season-ending surgery. If you do the math and connect the dots, Cooke has been playing with a sports hernia.”
Yeo said Cooke is out tonight, potentially for a long time. I'm hearing he's done for the season w lower body injury #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 3, 2015
Yeo added that Cooke’s injury isn’t related to the hip flexor that kept him out for 22 games earlier this season. An upcoming appointment with a doctor will help determine Cooke’s official fate, according to Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press.
Matt Cooke is, "potentially out long term" #mnwild coach Mike Yeo said. Cooke has a doctors appointment to learn more about lower body inj.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) February 3, 2015
Meanwhile, Jordan Schroeder was recalled from the Iowa Wild and Justin Fontaine (lower-body injury) was placed on injured reserve, according to 1500 ESPN.
