Former Michigan hockey standout Zach Hyman will miss the remainder of the NHL playoffs after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Wednesday. Hyman will undergo surgery.
It’s a tough blow for the 32-year-old winger, who has been a major piece of Edmonton’s playoff run. Hyman — who played at Michigan from 2011-15 and was a Hobey Baker finalist as a senior — left Tuesday’s game midway through the first period after taking a hit to the right shoulder.
The injury comes at a pivotal time for the Oilers, who lead Dallas 3-1 in the series and are one win away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season. Hyman had registered five goals and six assists in 15 playoff games and led the NHL with 111 hits this postseason. Coming off a 54-goal regular season, the Toronto native was once again proving himself as one of the game’s most reliable two-way forwards.
While Hyman’s absence will be felt on the ice, the Wolverines faithful can take pride in watching another former Wolverine play a key role in the biggest moments of the NHL season, even if this year’s run ends on the sidelines.