Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured skull sustained during a preseason game against the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old blueliner took a puck to the head off the stick of Dallas forward Sam Steele at 10:24 of the second period on Friday, forcing the team to restructure its defensive pairings ahead of its regular-season opener.
Surgery Follows Skull Fracture in Preseason Loss
The injury occurred near the ear area unprotected by Faber’s helmet during the Wild’s 2–1 preseason loss. Wild coach John Hynes noted after the game that if it was a quarter-of-an-inch higher, it just hits his helmet. Faber dropped to the ice briefly before skating to the bench under his own power, returning for the next shift and playing in the rest of the period before being pulled from the game and subsequently hospitalized.
Late In-Game Symptoms Prompt Hospitalization
General Manager Bill Guerin addressed the decision to keep Faber on the ice initially, explaining that the player seemed okay before symptoms progressed. Michael Russo of The Athletic first reported that Faber required surgery for a fractured skull.
Filling Heavy Minutes on the Blue Line
Faber enters his fourth full season following a season where he recorded 51 points across 80 regular-season games and averaged 24:41 of ice time, ranking second on the team behind Quinn Hughes. With Faber sidelined indefinitely, head coach John Hynes and management are distributing his heavy minutes across the blue line.
Captain Jared Spurgeon slotted alongside Hughes during the third period of Friday’s preseason finale and has maintained that pairing in subsequent practices. Hynes stated that Daemon Hunt and Zach Bogosian will divide penalty-kill responsibilities, while Spurgeon takes over Faber’s spot on the power-play unit.
Prioritizing Health Ahead of Season Opener
Teammates and executives emphasized that Faber’s health remains the priority over on-lineup concerns. Guerin noted that hockey takes a backseat when dealing with a serious medical situation for a player entering his fourth full NHL season.
Forward Matt Boldy acknowledged the setback to the lineup but expressed confidence that the absence of a top player can push other skaters to elevate their game as the Wild prepare to open their regular season against the Nashville Predators on Thursday.