Terrible Injury News For Dallas Stars Promising 1st-Rounder

The Dallas Stars have high hopes for the promising young defenseman they selected with the 18th overall pick in last year's NHL Entry Draft, but a recent brutal collision has forced 18-year-old Lian Bichsel to the sidelines for 6-to-8 weeks. 

The news out of Sweden on Lian Bichsel is bad.
Bichsel broke his ankle in a collision during a game that was preperation for the World Championships. The Dman was on track to make the Swiss national team.
The injury will require surgery and recovery time is unknown at the moment.

— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) May 4, 2023

Bichsel suffered a broken ankle in a World Championships tune-up game, where he was to play for Switzerland. Surgery on the ankle however will take him off skates for up to two months.  

Set to turn 19 next month, Bichsel hasn't yet signed his entry-level contract with the Stars, and as yet he doesn't have a contract at all for next season, although he is expected to return to Leksands in the Swedish Hockey League. 

Based on the recovery timeline, it's hoped that he can start training for the 2023-24 season—wherever that takes him—by early July.

Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports