REPORT: Delisle Could Be Out For Season

Any chance of 20-year old defenseman Steven Delisle reporting to Saint John appears to be even more unlikely at this point.

According to John A. Cohn of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Delisle could be out for the remainder of the season.

Delisle has a shoulder subluxation -- it is popping in and out of its joint -- that first occurred during training camp with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and was re-aggravated during Friday's 5-3 loss to Bloomington.

A fourth-round draft pick of Columbus in 2008, Delisle is expected to undergo MRI testing this week.

"It looks like surgery is the next option," Komets coach Al Sims said. "All he did was reach up for a puck and it popped out again, so obviously it needs something more than just time."

The Sea Dogs acquired Delisle’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rights from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on November 12. The deal saw Saint John acquire the rights to defenseman in exchange for a 12th round selection in the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Reports came up about a week ago that Delisle had suffered a shoulder injury. In six games with the Central Hockey League’s Fort Wayne Koments, the native of Levise, Quebec has no points and two penalty minutes. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect started the season in the American Hockey League prior to being assigned to ‘AA’ Fort Wayne.

Le Droit recently had an article on the former Gatineau Olympiques captain. The newspaper reports that Delisle was given the choice of going to Fort Wayne or Saint John, and after some discussion with his father and his agent, chose to report to the Komets.

His decision makes sense as playing against junior aged players can only help a player’s development for so long. Delisle also pointed out Fort Wayne's proximity to Columbus was key.

Luckily for the Sea Dogs, the deal cost them practically nothing. 12th round picks are often used on risks like this one.

Of note, the QMJHL trading period begins on December 19 and runs through to January 6.