The curse continues for draft eligible defensemen in the Western Hockey League.

Vancouver Giants defenseman David Musil, the son of former NHLer Frank Musil, suffered a hairline fracture of his right foot in a 3-0 victory over the Kamloops Blazers Tuesday.

While he is listed as week-to-week, Musil may miss the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo later this month. The tournament is often a showcase for prospects eligible for the NHL Entry Draft the following June.

Though Vancouver head coach Don Hay is wishing a quick return for his top defenseman, an extended stay on the injured reserve will not significantly harm his status on draft day in Minnesota in June, as recent history has shown. The Delta, BC native who is on the preliminary roster of the Czech Republic for the upcoming tournament is in some elite company when it comes to injury.

Two seasons ago, Spokane Chiefs defenseman Jared Cowan suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 6-0 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins in late January. The six-foot-five, 220-pound defenseman eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft had turned 18 five days prior to the injury. Cowan, ranked eighth by Future Considerations before the draft, was drafted ninth overall by the Ottawa Senators.

Last season, Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Mark Pysyk broke his foot blocking a shot in a game in late January. The Sherwood Park, AB. native played four more games with the injury before shutting his season down. Pysyk, ranked 22nd by Future Considerations heading into the draft, was drafted 23rd overall by the Buffalo Sabres.

Given that both Cowan and Pysyk didn’t stumble down the charts in their respective draft years, Musil’s minor setback will be nothing more than a blip on the radar of a season that has seen the six-foot-three, 191-pound defenseman record 17 points in 30 games.

Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickersFC. Follow the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed at www.twitter.com/FCHockey.