Predators prospect Zach Budish injured, possibly lost for season

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 2, 2010 1:36 PM EDT in Nashville Predators News

News reports coming out of Minnesota today aren't good after Nashville Predators prospect Zach Budish (a forward with the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers) suffered a serious knee injury yesterday in a moped accident (which apparently didn't involve any other vehicles):

According to at least one report, Budish appears to have a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees and could be out for the rest of the season. That's what Kevin Gorg, FSN's analyst for the Gophers-Colorado College series this past weekend, said on KFAN radio on Tuesday morning. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Further updates will come during the team's regularly-scheduled weekly press conference tomorrow.

When the Nashville Predators selected the hulking forward in the 2nd round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the consensus opinion was that the Preds were picking up a potential steal as Budish's stock had temporarily dipped due to a knee injury (from playing football) which had kept him from playing hockey that season (we don't know yet if the same knee got hurt). Since that time he's developed at a steady pace in college, but this could represent a serious setback.

After all, being 6'3" and 221 pounds is nice for a 19-year-old, but if you can't skate like the wind, you aren't going to make it in the NHL.

UPDATE: Jim Diamond reports that it is his other knee which is hurt, and that he will indeed be out for the season.

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Comments

Bad news

Hopefully he will make a full recovery and continue to develop as a hockey player. Lets hope this pick doesn’t go to waste.

by preds4ever on Nov 2, 2010 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

The curse is spreading. Somebody call a witch-doctor… quick, before the whole freakin organization comes down with SARS or something.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Nov 2, 2010 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps someone should speak to the boy about his varied interests and whether he wants to make hockey his career after his recovery. He seems to be some sort of a risk taker and or a bit of a klutz of the ice It would hurt for one of our trainers and a team member who has had this injury and recovered to speak to him at some point after his surgery if playing is still an option at that time.

by Wendy H on Nov 2, 2010 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Majority of Gophers drive mopeds around campus

I’ve been told by a person that covers the Golden Gophers that a majority of the hockey team drives mopeds to and from practice and around campus.

This wasn’t a stunt or joy riding. This was an accident. Thankfully we keep his rights till he graduates from college and he can likely redshirt this season if necessary.

Definitely wasn’t a positive step in his development, but one he can hopefully overcome with time.

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by Seth Lake on Nov 2, 2010 9:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions