Avalanche defenseman Jacob MacDonald to miss 5-6 months after hip surgery

A veteran blueliner is going to be out for an extended period of time.

The Colorado Avalanche announced that defenseman Jacob MacDonald underwent successful hip surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss the next 5-6 months due to rehabilitation.

According to the team, the procedure was performed at the UC Health Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Denver by Dr. Stephanie Mayer.

MacDonald, a longtime pro who has bounced around the minor leagues, is coming off his best season ever. With the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, the 32-year-old set career highs in goals (31), points (55) and plus/minus (+24). He led all AHL rearguards in scoring, finishing tied for seventh in plus/minus. It led to MacDonald winning the Eddie Shore Award as the league’s top defenseman, along with being named to the AHL First All-Star Team for the second time in his career.

In February, MacDonald represented the AHL’s Pacific Division in the second All-Star Classic appearance of his eight-year career in the league.

The Portland, Ore. native is in his second stint with the Avs organization. He was traded to Colorado by the Florida Panthers in June 2019, and remained with the franchise until he was sent to the San Jose Sharks in January 2023 as part of the trade that saw Matt Nieto and Ryan Merkley head to Denver.

MacDonald signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Avs in July 2024, which carries an NHL cap hit of $775,000 and a minor-league salary of $525,000 through this season.

Across his time with the Panthers, Sharks and Devils, MacDonald has appeared in 135 NHL contests, scoring 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points. In 358 AHL games, both regular season and playoffs, he has notched 100 goals and 157 assists for 257 points.