Minnesota Wild centre James Sheppard has a fractured left kneecap and there is no timetable for his return.
The team disclosed the injury Tuesday.
It said Sheppard was hurt in an off-ice accident on Saturday night in Vail, Colo., but did not say what happened.
The timing couldn't be much worse for Sheppard, a former first-round draft pick who has been slow to develop in the Wild organization.
The team signed veteran centre Matt Cullen this off-season to provide some depth at the position.
