Ex-Flyer Boucher to miss 4-6 months

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Former Flyer turned Carolina Hurricanes backup goalie Brian Boucher is expected to miss 4-6 months with an unspecified shoulder injury.

General manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that Boucher was injured within the past week and is scheduled to have surgery to repair it. He did not say which shoulder was injured.

The 35-year-old Boucher is entering the second year of a two-year, $1.9 million contract he signed last summer to back up Cam Ward.

A groin injury suffered midway through last season cost Boucher 43 games and limited him to just eight starts and 10 total appearances. He finished 1-7 with a 3.41 goals-against average.

The news all but officially puts Boucher out of the running to become the Flyers' backup goaltender next season. The Flyers are believed to be looking to fill the now-vacant backup role with a veteran netminder this summer.

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