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Laurent Brossoit, signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on July 1 to solidify the team’s goaltending, will miss training camp and start the 2024-25 season late after undergoing knee surgery on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Brossoit, set to become Chicago‘s “goalie 1B” behind Petr Mrazek, had his right meniscus repaired at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the team announced. The procedure is routine and Brossoit will need five to seven weeks to recover, putting his return in early October.
The Blackhawks had never hinted Brossoit was hurt and it’s unknown how he was injured. A torn meniscus is a common sports injury.
The Blackhawks open training camp on Sept. 18. They visit Utah for their season opener on Oct. 8.
The 31-year-old Brossoit agreed to a two-year contract with Chicago on July 1 that carries a cap hit of $3.3 million.
Related: New Blackhawks Goalie Laurent Brossoit Should “Save” Two Other Chicago Netminders
The 6-foot-3 Brossoit was the No. 2 man to Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg last season, going 15-5-5 in 23 games with a 2.00 goals against and .927 save percentage. He also played in one game with the Jets in the playoffs.
Brossoit is 64-46-13 with a 2.64 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 140 career games over 10 seasons. He also has played for Edmonton and Vegas.
With Brossoit out early, it’s likely that Arvid Söderblom could again back up Mrazek for the first few games of 2024-25. Drew Commesso also is a possibility, depending on who is stronger in training camp and preseason games.
Söderblom and Commesso were ticketed to be the Blackhawks minor league netminding tandem at Rockford of the AHL and figure to be there once Brossoit returns.
Then Brossoit and Mrazek should form a reliable duo in Chicago, and Brossoit’s arrival should prevent Mrazek from burning out.
Mrazek had a resurgent, terrific 2023-24 season. Teammates routinely called the 32-year old Czech their MVP, even with the arrival of Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard.
Healthy after two years of battling groin/core injuries, Mrazek kept the often outmanned Blackhawks in games all season. He appeared in a career-high 56 games (starting 53), and posted a 3.05 goal-against average and .907 save percentage.
Related: Laurent Brossoit is Blackhawks’ Most Underrated Offseason Addition