Knee injury ends Brind'Amour's season

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour is done for the season because of a torn left knee ligament.

The 17-year forward suffered the injury in Thursday's 4-2 victory against Pittsburgh.

Just 90 seconds into the first period, Brind'Amour was sandwiched by the Penguins' Georges Laraque and Nathan Smith near the boards at center ice.

He crumpled in pain and minutes later retreated to the dressing room.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford Friday said Brind'Amour's reconstructive knee surgery requires a four-to-six-month rehabilitation period.

Brind'Amour, 37, was leading the Hurricanes in scoring this season with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 58 games.

Fellow forward Justin Williams suffered a similar injury in December.

"You're not going to replace Roddy, that's for sure," left wing Ray Whitney told the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer. "(And) you're not going to replace the guys that we've lost."

Other injuries include left wing Chad LaRose (broken left leg) and right wing Patrick Eaves (neck and shoulder).