Hull Has Surgery on Hand, Will Miss All-Star Game

Brett Hull will be sidelined up to six weeks after surgery for a broken hand Sunday, meaning the star right wing will miss the Jan. 18 All-Star game but be ready for the Winter Olympics in Japan in February.

The St. Louis Blues said Hull had two pins surgically inserted in his left hand. The injury happened during the first period of Saturday’s 5-5 tie with the Mighty Ducks.

Hull, who scored on his first two shots of the game, was struck on his left hand by a stick wielded by Tomas Sandstrom.

The Blues contend the play warrants disciplinary action.

“A videotape of the play is going to the league,” St. Louis General Manager Larry Pleau said.

Pleau said he had spoken to Brian Burke, the NHL’s director of hockey operations. He said Burke promised to review the play.

Hull has played in seven All-Star games but will miss this season’s showcase in Vancouver. The Winter Olympics, the first in which NHL players take part, run Feb. 7-22.

Blues Coach Joel Quenneville had no doubts about who was responsible.

“[Sandstrom] didn’t try to hit the puck or the stick,” the coach said. “He tried to hit the hands.

“Guys are going down left and right around the league. With high sticks they say you have to be in control of your stick. Well, you have to control them below the waist too.”

Hull, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this year, passed Maurice Richard on Saturday on the career scoring list with 546 goals. Hull has 19 goals this year.

The injury is the latest in a series for the Blues. Hull joins defenseman Al MacInnis (dislocated shoulder), Pavol Demitra (bruised tailbone), Joe Murphy (wrist surgery) and Tony Twist (sprained knee).