Lehtonen has second back surgery, out additional 6-8 weeks

November 5, 4:28 PMAtlanta Thrashers ExaminerPhil Foley

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Lehtonen, pictured here making a save in Denver last year, is out 6-8 weeks after 2nd back surgery.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Atlanta Thrashers will have to wait a little while longer for Kari Lethonen.

Lethonen, Atlanta’s top goalie last season, underwent successful back surgery in Rochester, New York on October 30.

The second procedure, which was performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Maurer removed edges of bone that were applying pressure on certain nerve roots in his back.

He is expected to be sidelined for an additional 6-8 weeks.

The oft-injured netminder had back surgery on July 20 and hoped to return to the ice sometime in November. However, once Lehtonen began some light skating, he experienced the additional back pain and was shut down.

The 25-year old goaltender appeared in 46 games for the Thrashers last season, posting a 19-22-3 record and a 3.06 goals-against-average.

Lehtonen, a native of Finland, has appeared in net 204 times since he was nabbed with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft. He boasts a 94-83-17 record and a 3.07 GAA for the Thrashers.