ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes’ Christian Dvorak out indefinitely following surgery

Oct 19, 2018, 2:26 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm

Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak, right, has his shot blocked by Colorado Avalanche goalie S...

Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak, right, has his shot blocked by Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, left, of Russia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Coyotes center Christian Dvorak will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, the team announced Friday.

Dvorak hadn’t played this season and was recovering from a lower body injury before injuring the pectoral muscle during a rehab skate last week in Glendale, according to Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka.

Chayka said that it could cost Dvorak the season.

“The doctors told us is that it’s a fairly unique injury, especially for hockey players. And then the severity of the tear, it differs from person to person,” Chayka said. “You hope it’s not the season, but it’s not out of the question.”

Dvorak, 22, registered 15 goals and 22 assists in 78 games last season, his second season in the NHL.

The injury will test the depth of the Coyotes as they try to improve upon last season.

“Hopefully it’s an opportunity for us all to show some maturity as an organization,” Chayka said. “If you have injuries, guys can step up, and that’s what we’re hoping, an opportunity to show that we’ve built some depth in the organization, that we’re ready to take some steps and compete.”

The Coyotes continue their road trip Saturday at 1 p.m. against Winnipeg.

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