Another NHLer undergoes the “Jack Eichel” disc replacement surgery!

Back in November 2021, Vegas Golden Knights’ forward Jack Eichel underwent successful neck surgery in Denver, becoming the first NHL player to undergo disc replacement surgery.

The procedure was at the centre of a lot of controversy prior to Eichel getting traded to Vegas. After an eight-month saga in which Eichel wanted out of Buffalo as the Sabres preferred an anterior cervical discectomy fusion, while Eichel and his representatives preferred this ADR procedure, the discord led to the Sabres trading Eichel and a future third-round pick to the Golden Knights on Nov. 4 for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and two picks. The Sabres did not want to see Eichel undergo the surgery, afraid it would be a major risk to his career : however, he returned healthy in February, which had many shaking their heads at the Sabres.

Then, Chicago Blackhawks’ Tyler Johnson followed suit, undergoing the same surgery and making a full recovery.

On Friday, it was announced that Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee is third NHL player to undergo disc replacement surgery, following Eichel’s lead and Johnson.

The surgery was performed this morning by Dr. Jon Yoon, a neurosurgeon at Penn Medicine. Farabee is expected to make a full recovery in 3-4 months.