Ottawa Senators forward Eklund undergoes ankle surgery

The Ottawa Senators, an NHL club based in the Canadian capital, said on Thursday that Swedish forward William Eklund has undergone ankle surgery. Doctors repaired the ligaments in his ankle on Wednesday. The player is 23 years old.

Head coach Travis Green gave the news to reporters. The source does not say how long Eklund is expected to be out.

How the injury happened

Eklund was hurt last week in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, which the Senators won. He was injured in a play involving Flyers' opposing defenseman Simon Benoit.

New team since June

Eklund moved to Ottawa in June, when he was included in a trade that also involved the San Jose Sharks. He began the season well with his new club, recording a goal and an assist in his first four games.

Previous seasons

Last season, playing for the Sharks, Eklund scored 53 points in 78 games, made up of 15 goals and 38 assists. The year before, he set a career high with 58 points in 77 games.

The injury therefore affects a player who has been productive on offense in each of the past two seasons and who has only just started with a new club. For now, all that is known is that the operation has been carried out. The source gives no details on his recovery or on when he might return to the ice.