Flames rookie Sam Bennett to miss 4-6 months after surgery

Flames rookie Sam Bennett is expected to miss four to six months after he undergoes shoulder surgery next week, the team announced on Thursday.

Flames rookie Sam Bennett is expected to miss four to six months after he undergoes shoulder surgery next week, the team announced on Thursday. 

He had tried to play through the issue but will now miss most of the season. Bennett, 18, was the fourth overall pick in the 2014 entry draft. He apparently re-injured himself in a Sept. 26 preseason game in Vancouver. 

• Former defenseman Chris Pronger hired into NHL Player Safety 

Calgary general manager Brad Treliving said earlier this week that Bennett has actually been dealing with the shoulder issue for a while. Bennett said in the report from the team that he injured himself last year and tried to play despite the chronic pain. 

The Flames lost their season-opener at home to Canucks on Wednesday. They also played on Thursday vs. the Oilers. 

- Marc Weinreich