Shelley to have eye surgery, expected to miss 4 weeks

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that enforcer Jody Shelley will undergo surgery Thursday on his orbital bone around his left eye.

Shelley was injured when a deflected puck struck him during practice on Monday. A similar fate befell Vancouver Canucks forward Manny Malhotra last week, when he was hit in the face during a game against Colorado. Malhotra was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs by the Canucks on Monday.

"Jody Shelley will have surgery on Thursday, March 24 to repair a broken orbital bone on the left side of his face," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "The surgery will be performed by Dr. Guy Lanzi. Jody will be able to return in four weeks."

Should the timetable hold up, the veteran is slated to return towards the end of the first round of the playoffs.

The 35-year-old has two goals and two assists with 127 penalty minutes in 58 games this season, his first with Philadelphia after signing a three-year contract last July.