The Pittsburgh Penguins have put Brooks Orpik on injured reserve, the club announced on Monday.
Orpik, 33, was hurt during an ugly incident against Boston on Saturday when he was jumped by Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. Orpik was thrown to the ice and punched, briefly losing consciousness before getting stretchered off and admitted to local hospital for observation.
The Penguins didn’t release Orpik’s injury, but it’s believed the veteran rearguard has suffered a concussion. Thornton has been suspended indefinitely pending an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Orpik had seven points in 30 games this season and was averaging over 22 minutes per night. Losing him is big, especially given all the injuries on the Pittsburgh blueline -- the Penguins were already without Rob Scuderi (broken ankle) and Paul Martin (fractured tibia), both on IR.
To replace Orpik, the Pens recalled Brian Dumoulin from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
