Mats Zuccarello took the puck where no man wanted to be hit.
The Minnesota Wild star was in front of the net in a game against the Montreal Canadiens Nov. 14, when a shot hit him in the groin.
Zuccarello immediately fell to the ice and needed help leaving the rink.
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Minnesota Wild’s Mats Zuccarello (36) is helped by a trainer on the ice after suffering an injury during a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Xcel Energy Center Nov. 14, 2024, in Saint Paul, Minn. (Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
Zuccarello hasn’t played since.
According to his teammate Marcus Foligno, Zuccarello’s testicle exploded.
“The poor guy got hit where the sun doesn’t shine, and his testicle burst. He can’t even lift anything,” Foligno told 93X’s “Half-Assed Morning Show” on Wednesday.
Foligno said he and his colleagues “thought he was going to lose one nut.”
“But it actually survived, and he’s caught both of them,” added Foligno.
Folgino said Zuccarello’s protective cup “has a big dent in it.”
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello, center, is helped on the ice after suffering an injury during the first period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens Nov. 14, 2024, St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
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“It was fun,” Foligno said. “It’s funny after that, since he’s ready.”
Zuccarello underwent surgery after the injury, and is expected to miss about four weeks.
Zuccarello is fourth on the team with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) and has skated on a starting line with three-time All-Star Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi at center.
“Zuccy is such an important part of the team. I really enjoyed coaching him. He’s a seasoned player. He’s a great player. He’s got great hockey sense, his importance on the power play, obviously his chemistry with Kirill. But, for Mina, the way he’s come in this year and played, he’s an important player, ” said coach John Hynes.
“That being said, he’s also played a long time. So, I know when he comes back, he’ll be back where he belongs.”
Minnesota Wild’s Mats Zuccarello passes the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game at Xcel Energy Center Nov. 3, 2024, in Saint Paul, Minn. (Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
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This is Zuccarello’s 15th season in the NHL. He spent the first nine with the New York Rangers before taking a stint in Dallas with the Stars. He joined Minnesota in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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