VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Vancouver Canucks were expected to give more young players extra ice time in the stretch drive of the season -- but not this way.
The absence of an injured young player -- star rookie Brock Boeser, who is expected to miss the balance of Vancouver's campaign -- will provide extra playing opportunities for his peers.
The team revealed Tuesday that the 21-year-old Burnsville, Minn., native, who ranks among the NHL's rookie leaders with 29 goals and 26 assists, will be out four to six weeks with a back injury.