Corey Perry’s mysterious absence from the ice continued on Friday.
And now, it looks like the Chicago Blackhawks forward might be out awhile.
“Corey Perry has stepped away from the Chicago Blackhawks to attend to personal matters,” Perry’s agent, Pat Morris, wrote in a statement. “Corey and his family appreciate privacy at this time.”
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was also coy when addressing Perry’s status during a media availability on Saturday.
“There’s no update on that end,” Davidson said, according to NBA Sports Chicago. “He’s away from the team and will remain so for the foreseeable future. I’m unable to provide any further update on that front. …
“It’s been a team decision so far to hold him out and that’s all I’m able to provide,” Davidson added. “It is coming from the organization’s end, yes.”
Perry was scratched for the second straight game ahead of the team’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.
He was first held out of Wednesday’s contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday due to an “organizational decision,” per Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson.
The 38-year-old was acquired in a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning in June.
Perry has four goals and five assists in 16 games this season.
A 19-year NHL veteran, Perry has 421 goals and 471 points across 1,273 games throughout his hockey career.
Perry won the Stanley Cup in 2006-07 with the Anaheim Ducks and the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP during the 2010-11 season.
Chicago is also without Taylor Hall, another former NHL MVP, who is expected to miss the rest of the season after ACL surgery.
The Blackhawks are currently 6-12-1 record (12 points), the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
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