Bergeron out 2 weeks with thumb injury

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 | 4:16 PM ET

Dan Robson, CBC Sports

Boston's Patrice Bergeron, recently named to Team Canada, should only miss two weeks with an injury to his right thumb. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron should only miss two weeks with an injury to his right thumb, the team said Tuesday.

Bergeron, the Bruins' leading scorer, was drilled in the right hand by a slapshot from teammate Dennis Wideman during a loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

"There's a chance he could play after two weeks," said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, who added that Bergeron will be outfitted with a splint and can continue working out with the team if he can tolerate the pain. "He could conceivably be practising in a day, three days or five days."

Bergeron returned to Boston Tuesday morning to see a specialist, and will not be with his teammates when they take on the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night. The Bruins have not yet made an official statement about the extent of Bergeron's injury.

In many ways, Bergeron was the underdog story of this year's Olympic squad. He is the only member of Team Canada who was not invited to the selection camp last summer.

Two seasons ago, his short career nearly ended when he suffered a severe head injury after being hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Randy Smith.

But Bergeron's exceptional play this season caught the attention of Team Canada coaches. He has 31 points, with 11 goals and 20 assists.

Many have seen the same spark in Bergeron's play that he showed at the 2005 world junior championship, where he teamed up with Sidney Crosby on Canada's gold-medal winning "dream team."

There has been much speculation that Bergeron would be paired with Crosby on Canada's Olympic team in Vancouver.

No alternate players were named when Steve Yzerman unveiled his roster Dec. 30.

However, it was widely reported that veteran centres Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars and Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators were both considered for the squad.