(Brossard) Forward Alex Belzile has suffered a broken leg and will not return to action this season, while Sean Monahan has had groin surgery.
The Montreal Canadiens announced the news on Monday.
Belzile was hit by a shot from Sebastian Aho in the second period of the Habs’ eventual 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Aho scored later on the streak and Belzile finished the game.
The St-Éloi native has six goals and eight assists in 31 games with the Canadiens this season.
For his part, Monahan hasn’t played since Dec. 5 against the Vancouver Canucks. He was initially struggling with a right foot injury. General manager Kent Hughes, however, said on the day of the trade deadline that a second injury was keeping Monahan out.
The Habs did not specify when Monahan had surgery and how long his rehabilitation will last.
Acquired from the Calgary Flames last summer, Monahan had six goals and 11 assists in 25 games with the Canadiens.
Several other players were missing when they returned to training at the Bell Sports Complex.
Goaltender Jake Allen, forward Jake Evans and defenseman Jordan Harris were out after being in uniform against the Hurricanes on Saturday. They were all enjoying a day of treatment.
Evans was also hit by a shot — from teammate Joel Edmundson — and finished the game as well.
Allen hasn’t played since last Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. Karel St-Laurent, who played in the North American Hockey League last season, was invited to participate in training to support Samuel Montembeault.
Forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was also absent from training on Monday. He did not face the Hurricanes due to an accumulation of minor injuries. He was also enjoying a day of treatment.
The Canadiens will take over the collar on Tuesday, when they host the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Center.
Martin St-Louis’ team has lost its last three games.
