Vilardi to undergo appendectomy, out indefinitely

Forward Gabriel Vilardi is set to undergo an appendectomy later this afternoon. Windsor Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel shared the news today that the projected Top-5 pick in this summer’s 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago will be out of the lineup indefinitely.

“Most importantly here, we’re glad we caught this and that he’s getting the medical treatment he needs,” Rychel said. “We’re obviously going to miss a top flight talent like Gabe. You can’t control things like this and we’ll have to pull together as a group to pick up the slack, especially with a dozen consecutive road games in the next month or so.”

Vilardi, 17, was off to a great start to the season, with nine goals and 13 assists for a team-leading 22 points in 16 games.

Photo by Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine