Blues’ Lehtera has ankle surgery, expected to be out 6-8 weeks

The St. Louis Blues on Monday announced that center Jori Lehtera had what they termed "successful surgery" on his right ankle Aug. 4 and should be available to skate again in six to eight weeks.

Lehtera suffered the injury at the end of last season, according to the Blues. Lehtera, 27, had 14 goals and 44 points in 75 games last season, his first in the National Hockey League.

A former teammate of Blues star forward Vladimir Tarasenko in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, Lehtera developed quick chemistry with Tarasenko and winger Jaden Schwartz to help form one of the team's most effective lines last season.

Lehtera, a third-round draft pick in 2008, also had two assists in five playoff games. He is expected to be one of the Blues’ top centers again this season and signed a three-year, $14.1 million contract extension last month.

Also on Monday, the Blues announced that single-game tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Aug. 20 on their website stlouisblues.com. Season-ticket and other partial season-ticket package holders will have a presale window for single-game tickets Aug. 17.

Ticket package options are still available for fans who want to be part of the earlier ticket sale.

Among the Blues' promotional highlights for the 2015-16 season are four bobblehead giveaways. The list of bobbleheads being given away to fans are Kevin Shattenkirk (Oct. 29 vs. Anaheim), new Hall of Fame inductee Chris Pronger (Dec. 10 vs. Philadelphia), David Backes (Feb. 16 vs. Dallas) and Alex Pietrangelo (March 25 vs. Vancouver).

The Blues will also celebrate three Heritage Nights when they honor some of the franchise's legendary players and memorable moments.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 1:08 PM with the headline "Blues’ Lehtera has ankle surgery, expected to be out 6-8 weeks."