Boeser heading home to see specialist

Taking care of nagging groin strain ‘right play to make’ for Canucks sophomore sniper

BOSTON — Brock Boeser won’t be on the team charter to Buffalo Thursday night.

The Canucks right-winger is flying to Vancouver to see a specialist because of a nagging groin injury that has kept him from playing on this sixgame road trip. Boeser suffered the injury Oct. 18 in Winnipeg and then played through any discomfort.

However, after games against Boston and Washington Oct. 20 and 22, respectively, last season’s Calder Trophy finalist didn’t play the next two games. Boeser then played in four straight games — including a four-point outing Nov. 2 against Colorado — but re-aggravated the injury.

The Canucks have said the ailment is getting better, but seeing a specialist can either be ominous or just plain prudent.

“He has gotten better, but he can’t quite get over the hump, so we want to make sure (he’s 100 per cent or close to it) and we’ll see what comes out of it,” said Canucks coach Travis Green, who added there might be a chance that Boeser rejoins the team on this trip. “He wants to play. He was feeling better about his game, but we have to make sure he’s ready to go.

“We just want to have a good understanding. We’ve done an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on it and it was negative. But we want him to see a specialist and make sure.”

On March 5, Boeser’s rookie season was cut short by a back injury that didn’t require surgery. Boeser did need time to get over the ailment and a bothersome wrist, but said it didn’t affect his training. He came to camp eight pounds heavier and seemed surprised by the weight gain that many surmised may have slowed his start to this season.

However, he has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 13 games and the 21-year-old looked to be finding his game again before the groin injury.

“It’s been bugging him for a while and at this point, it (seeing a specialist) is the right play to make,” said Canucks defenceman Erik Gudbranson. “Hopefully they can get that thing figured out and he can get back on the ice and do what he does.

“It’s setting up a plan, having it in place and sticking to it because our groins are put through the wringer every day.”

— THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser, who had yet to suit up during the team’s current six-game road trip, originally injured his groin Oct. 18 against Winnipeg, but has played on and off since then.