The Abbotsford Heat will be without Lance Bouma for a matter of weeks, not days.
The hard-hitting right winger limped to the locker room late in the second period of Friday's home game against the Chicago Wolves following a collision in the corner in the offensive zone, and did not return.
The team said Wednesday that Bouma is out indefinitely with a sprained ACL and MCL in his right knee.
The 22-year-old Provost, Alta. native was a third-round choice by the Calgary Flames in the 2008 NHL entry draft. He spent the bulk of his first two pro campaigns with the Heat, but had stints with the Flames both seasons. In 43 career NHL games, he's posted one goal and three assists.
Back in Abbotsford this fall during the NHL lockout, Bouma had one goal in three games.
The Heat embarked on a three-game road trip on Wednesday which will see them visit the Lake Erie Monsters (Friday/Saturday) and the Hamilton Bulldogs (Sunday). Bouma, along with Greg Nemisz (lower body) and Paul Byron (upper body), stayed behind in Abbotsford.