Josh Mahura’s road to the 2016 NHL Draft has hit a speed bump. Mahura, 17, sustained a lower body injury and remains out indefinitely.

“He was poised to have a big year on the Memorial Cup host Red Deer Rebels squad,” Future Considerations’ Zenon Herasymiuk said. “If he can return to the lineup late in the year and into playoffs, he will have a good chance of maintaining a high draft stock.”

In 51 games last season, the 6-foot, 170-pound defenseman had two goals and eight points. He recorded one assist in two games before sustaining the injury. He also helped Canada to gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August, recording an assist in four games.

“He’s a very intelligent two-way defenseman that improved steadily over the course of his rookie season,” Herasymiuk said. “We loved the poise and execution he showed in transition. He is able to use his mobility to escape and push the pace while his footwork and vision make him a threat on the power play.”