The Minnesota Wild has announced via Twitter that forward Marco Rossi is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury. The centreman represented Austria at the 2021 World Junior Championship in Edmonton. He underwent a seven-day quarantine before being able to take part in the training camp activities with the Wild this week.
NEWS: #mnwild forward Marco Rossi is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 10, 2021
Minnesota’s Forward Marco Rossi Out Indefinitely With an Upper-Body Injury
Rossi was drafted by Minnesota in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft with the ninth pick overall. The forward spent the 2019-20 season with the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL. He scored 39 goals and 81 assists for 120 points in 56 games. He played four games during the WJC but didn’t register any points.
Rossi signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Minnesota on October 23 and was loaned to the ZSC Lions until the start of the NHL training camp. He only played one game with the team before being called for the World Juniors.
What This Means for the Future
Minnesota did not give any further information about Rossi’s injury. It is unknown whether it happened during his time in the WJC or not. His quarantine was scheduled to end today.
The 19-year-old is a highly-regarded prospect and this is not good news for Minnesota. He would’ve been a great addition to the roster this year.
Rossi had an incredible season with the Ottawa 67’s. He’s an amazing skater, fast, and knows his way with the puck. The centreman is great at cutting through the defence and this makes him extremely dangerous. Even though he’s a big guy, Rossi is great at winning puck battles along the boards.
His ability to create offence would have been appreciated in Minnesota this year. Rossi is also really good defensively and within the penalty kill. As the Wild stands 25th in the league’s penalty kill percentage for the 2019-20, that would’ve been great.
However, Rossi is young and will have the opportunity to join the team when he is healthy and ready. As for now, he needs to focus on recovering and getting ready for the next season.
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