Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber underwent surgery Sunday after suffering a skull fracture in Friday’s preseason game, leaving the team without one of its top blue-liners as the regular season approaches.
The Wild said Tuesday that Faber sustained the fracture during the game and had successful surgery two days later. The club did not offer a timeline for his return and said another update would come later.
Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin said Faber is recovering well, but the team plans to lean on its medical staff before saying anything more about when he might be back.
“He just had a serious surgery and an injury, so we’re just gonna [update] you guys when the time’s right,” Guerin said. “But he’s doing well.
He’s doing really well, which is good news. And we’ll just follow the doctor’s lead.”
Faber left Friday’s preseason game and did not return. He also missed practice Saturday and Sunday while the Wild waited for more information on his condition.
Minnesota placed him on injured reserve Monday ahead of the NHL roster deadline.
The 24-year-old has become one of the Wild’s most important players and is expected to again handle a major role on the team’s blue line this season. For now, though, his recovery comes first, and the organization is not putting a date on his return to skating or other hockey activities.
With the injury described as serious, Minnesota says it will wait for medical clearance before setting any kind of timetable.
"Brock is a great player. He's a big player for us.
It's always going to affect your team when guys like that are out,” Guerin said. “The biggest thing here is he's doing well and sometimes you have to put the hockey aide and worry about the human being."
Faber’s absence leaves the Wild short one of their top defensemen as they prepare for the 2026-27 regular season. Minnesota opens Thursday against the Nashville Predators.
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