It could very well be the most important year in the hockey life of Adam Pelech.

And it’s been put on hiatus.

The six-foot-two, 200-pound Erie Otters defenseman has suffered what is believed to be a hairline fracture in his wrist, forcing the Toronto, ON. native to miss up to six weeks of action.

The injury is a crippling blow to an Otters defense that boasts four rookies. Pelech, who had 14 points in 65 games as a rookie last season, was counted on for upwards of 25 minutes of ice time a night.

The injury was suffered in Erie’s 6-2 loss to the Plymouth Whalers.