Swiss ice hockey player Kevin Fiala underwent successful surgery on his left lower leg following injuries he sustained during the Olympic Games in Milan. His NHL team, the Los Angeles Kings, confirmed that he will not return to play this regular season. Fiala's injuries occurred during a match against Canada in the second game of the group stage, where Switzerland lost 1-5. In the first period of the game, Fiala was injured when Canada’s Tom Wilson fell on his leg while battling for the puck, prompting immediate medical intervention on the ice and his subsequent transport to the hospital.

The Los Angeles Kings announced that Fiala is currently resting and will soon begin a recovery and rehabilitation program. Although he will not play for the remainder of the NHL regular season, the team indicated that they will reassess Fiala's condition at the conclusion of the regular season. The injury and subsequent surgery are significant as Fiala was expected to be a key player for both the hockey team in the NHL and his national team at the Olympics, making this a considerable blow for both parties.

As fans and teammates rally around Fiala during this challenging time, his rehabilitation process will be closely monitored. The NHL's injury policies regarding recovery time and player health have been under scrutiny, particularly in the context of high-stakes international tournaments like the Olympics. Fiala's situation underscores the physical challenges hockey players face and the impact of injuries on their careers and teams, especially at such critical points in the sporting calendar.