The Carolina Hurricanes announced that defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who is out of the lineup due to a concussion, underwent surgery on his left knee today. The procedure should keep him out four weeks. The release from the Hurricanes is after the jump.

HURRICANES’ PITKANEN UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY

Recovery time expected to be four weeks

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that defenseman Joni Pitkanen underwent surgery on his left knee on Tuesday. The procedure was performed by Dr. Marty Isbell of Raleigh Orthopaedic at Rex Hospital, and recovery time for the surgery is expected to be four weeks.

Pitkanen, 28, has totaled three goals, nine assists (12 points) and eight penalty minutes in 21 games for the Hurricanes this season. The Oulu, Finland, native has missed 19 games due to injury this season, and has earned 268 points (54 goals, 214 assists) in 504 career NHL games with Carolina, Philadelphia and Edmonton.