Devils' Hischier played all season with chronic hand injury

New Jersey Devils rookie Nico Hischier played the entire season with a chronic left hand/wrist injury, the team announced Thursday.

Doctors determined that the 19-year-old will not require surgery, but he does need to immobilize the affected area for three-to-four weeks.

Despite the injury, Hischier still played all 82 regular-season games - tallying 20 goals and 52 points - and all five playoff games, in which he scored one goal.

In other injury news, the team also announced that forward Pavel Zacha suffered a ligament injury in his right hand toward the end of the season. Like Hischier, Zacha doesn't need surgery, but does require two-to-four weeks of immobilization.

The injuries mean neither player will be available for the upcoming World Championship.

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