Nic Kerdiles Suffered MCL Injury on Saturday

If Nic Kerdiles didn't have bad luck, I'm not sure he'd have any luck at all.

Last week, Kerdiles joined his former club, the United States under-18 team to play in a series of exhibition games starting with the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas, a DIII school in Minnesota.

An already frustrating month worsened for the Wisconsin freshman Saturday, as he was banged up in the game vs St. Thomas.

Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves announced Monday that Kerdiles suffered a Grade 1 MCL injury vs the Tommies.

The good news is the injury won't require surgery.

Eaves noted that he expects Kerdiles back on the ice one week before Wisconsin's series at Denver beginning on Nov. 30. That also happens to be the first week that Kerdiles is eligible to play in games for the Badgers.

Kerdiles is currently serving a 10-game suspension after the NCAA ruled that he violated its amateurism code. Kerdiles' suspension was reduced to 10 games after an initial year-long withholding.

Eaves Hopeful for Derek Lee on Friday

Eaves was also asked about the availability of senior center Derek Lee during his weekly press conference Monday. Lee missed the Minnesota-Duluth series after he was involved in a moped accident during Wisconsin's bye week.

Eaves noted that Lee is expected to practice on Monday, and that he's hopeful that Lee will be ready to play Friday night when Wisconsin opens up the Kohl Center vs Colorado College.

Last weekend, freshman Morgan Zulinick played in Lee's spot on the second line on Friday and Keegan Meuer took his turn on Saturday.

Lee is also the quarterback of Wisconsin's power-play, a spot that is arguably the most important on the entire unit. Junior defenseman Frankie Simonelli filled in admirably for Lee, but the Badgers will be happy to get the British Columbia native back as soon as possible.

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