Three weeks ago, Will Lockwood faced a choice: He could attempt to play through his latest shoulder injury and have surgery once the Michigan hockey team’s season was over, or have surgery as soon as possible.
Rather than delay the inevitable, Lockwood chose the latter.
After Tuesday’s practice, Michigan coach Mel Pearson told The Daily that the sophomore forward had undergone surgery Tuesday morning, and he will not play again this year.
“(I) was just talking to his family, and everything went extremely well,” Pearson said. “Now that that’s done he’s on the road to recovery, and one day closer to being on the ice, whenever that is. Definitely out for the year but he should be ready to go next fall.”
While playing for the United States national team in a Dec. 29 game against Canada at the World Junior Championships, Lockwood took a hit from behind and fell hard on his left shoulder. He was initially ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, and was later told that surgery was necessary after being evaluated by Michigan’s medical staff.
In 16 games this season, Lockwood registered four goals and seven assists, primarily playing alongside sophomore Jake Slaker and freshman Josh Norris on the Wolverines’ second forward line. Junior Brendan Warren has mostly filled in during Lockwood’s absence, and has found success, scoring five points in his last six games.
Lockwood previously missed five games his freshman season due to an injury on the same shoulder, and underwent surgery during that offseason. When healthy, Lockwood was a key player for Michigan, especially on offense. He tallied 20 points in his 30 games in 2016-17, the second-best total of any Wolverine.