Don Lucia Undergoes Surgical Procedure, Expected Back This Week

The surgery was performed by spine specialist Dr. Timothy Garvey of the University of Minnesota Physicians group.

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March 3, 2004

Don Lucia, head coach of the University of Minnesota men's hockey team, underwent a surgical procedure Tuesday afternoon at Fairview-University Medical Center's Riverside Campus. The procedure involved a fusion of some of his cervical vertebrae, in order to relieve and prevent permanent numbness and weakness in his right arm and hand.

The surgery was performed by spine specialist Dr. Timothy Garvey of the University of Minnesota Physicians group.

The decision to undergo the surgery on Tuesday was based on an increasing need to relieve the symptoms that Lucia was experiencing.

Lucia wanted to wait until the end of the season to have the surgery, but after recently discussing his current symptoms with Golden Gopher Hockey Team Physician Robert LaPrade and Dr. Garvey, the decision was made to go forward with the procedure sooner rather than later.

While Lucia will be restricted from skating for the next few weeks, he is expected to be back coaching the team later this week. Lucia expects to attend this weekend's games vs. St. Cloud State at Mariucci Arena and watch the games from the press box.

Coaching in his fifth season at Minnesota and 17th overall, Lucia owns a 406-216-49 (.642) career record, including a 127-61-20 (.659) mark at Minnesota.