NEW YORK—The New York Rangers announced on Monday, June 5 that right wing Jesper Fast underwent successful labral surgery on his left hip and is expected to be sidelined until November.
Fast, a native of Nassjo, Sweden, was originally selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft (157th overall). Prior to the NHL, he played for Sweden’s HV71 U18 team of the SuperElit junior hockey league. Fast made his debut in the AHL with the Connecticut Whale in 2012 and would then play for the New York Rangers and the affiliated Hartford Wolf Pack the following season (2013-2014).
Over the last four years, he appeared in 216 regular-season games, posting 22 goals and 43 assists for a total of 65 points. Last season, he played in 68 regular season games, collected 21 points (comprised of six goals and 15 assists), and earned a plus-6 rating.
Before the Rangers were defeated by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the playoffs, Fast posted 6 points (three goals and three assists) in 12 playoff games. For the second season in a row, Fast was selected by teammates as the recipient of the Players’ Player Award.
Both Fast and teammate Oscar Lindberg (who underwent a similar surgical process on both hips last May), are currently restricted free agents. Some reports disclose that Fast and Lindberg may be selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in this year’s expansion draft.
