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 Tuesday, December 21
Stars put captain on injured reserve
 
SportsTicker

 DALLAS -- Dallas Stars defenseman and captain Derian Hatcher will be out six to eight weeks with a lacerated right calf muscle, adding to the injury woes of the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Derian
Hatcher
Hatcher

Hatcher, 26, was placed on injured reserve Monday, three days after he suffered the injury in Friday night's game at Edmonton. In the second period of a 2-2 tie, he was checked by Edmonton's Todd Marchant along the end boards.

A physical player, Hatcher is tied for sixth on the Stars with 16 points with two goals and 14 assists. He is second on the team in assists and fourth in penalty minutes (31).

The eighth overall pick by the Stars in 1990, Hatcher signed a four-year contract extension before last season that will pay him $18.6 million through the 2002-03 season. Last season, he had nine goals and 21 assists, helping the Stars win their first Stanley Cup.

A member of the 1998 U.S Olympic team and the younger brother of New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Hatcher, Derian Hatcher joins a handful of teammates who have missed considerable time this season. The Stars have struggled to a 17-13-4 mark and are tied with Anaheim and Los Angeles for last in the Pacific Division.

Star center Joe Nieuwendyk is sidelined with a rib injury and fellow defenseman Shawn Chambers is out indefinitely with a knee ailment. Wings Jere Lehtinen (ankle) and Grant Marshall (shoulder) missed Saturday's 4-2 win at Vancouver.

In addition, centers Mike Modano and Brian Skrudland and defenseman Darryl Sydor have been sidelined.