Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast has neck surgery, expected to miss 2024-25 season
The Carolina Hurricanes likely will be without forward Jesper Fast this season, the team announced Thursday.
Fast, 32, underwent neck surgery Aug. 6, the Canes said. A projected timetable on his recovery period was not released.
The Swedish winger injured his neck after crashing into the boards in the final game of the 2023-24 regular season, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was not available for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fast had six goals and had 13 assists (19 points) in 73 games during the 2023-24 season and helped the Hurricanes finish first in the NHL on the penalty kill.
In his exit interview with the media after the playoffs concluded, Fast was wearing a neck brace but said he was “hopeful” about a recovery and the ability to play in the 2024-25 season.
Fast said sitting out the playoffs was the “worst-case scenario.”
“When the fun is about to start, you’re sitting on the sideline,” Fast said. “You just want to help your team and be part of it and it’s really tough to be on the side.
“It’s definitely one of the toughest periods in my career.”
The Nassjo, Sweden, native ranked sixth on the team in hits (79) and played in his 700th career NHL game on April 9 against the Boston Bruins.
The Canes lost forwards Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen and Stefan Noesen in free agency and now will be without Fast.
Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round of at the 2010 NHL Draft, Fast has 248 points in 703 career NHL regular-season games with the Rangers and Hurricanes.
This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 6:24 PM.
