Wild's Jared Spurgeon out for the season

(Saint Paul, MN) -- The Wild have suffered a major injury blow.

The team announced yesterday that Jared Spurgeon will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. He's expected to undergo a procedure on his left hip next month, followed up by back surgery. The team captain has been in and out of the lineup this season due to various injuries, having played in just 16 games. However, the 34-year-old finished in the top 15 of Norris voting the past two seasons, which is an award given out to the league's best defenseman.

The team moved Spurgeon's $7.5 million dollar contract to long term injured reserve, and will have additional cap space to potentially make a trade to help shore up the blue line.