Winnipeg Jets G Ondrej Pavelec undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery

March 7 (UPI) -- Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec underwent arthroscopic knee surgery that could spell the end of his season.

Pavelec, sidelined since he was injured on Feb. 7, faces a recovery time of two to three weeks, although that may be a conservative estimate for a player at his position.

"Pavelec had a scope done on his knee this morning," Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Monday. "Normal window is 2-3 weeks recovery for a player. Can be longer for a goaltender."

Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Pavelec could have played his last game with the only franchise he has known.

Pavelec, 29, spent the first three months of the season in the minors after he was beaten out by Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson in training camp. With the team floundering in mid-January, Pavelec was summoned from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

The unquestioned starter for the bulk of his tenure with Winnipeg, Pavelec won his first two starts following his recall and was 4-4 with a 3.35 goals-against average and .888 save percentage in eight starts.

A second-round pick of the then-Atlanta Thrashers, Pavelec has played his entire career with the franchise. In 379 regular-season games (362 starts), he posted a 152-158 mark and 2.87 GAA.