Tue Jan 29 18:00:34 2008

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Canucks D Mitchell out with fractured vertebra

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Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The Vancouver Canucks learned on Tuesday that defenseman Willie Mitchell, who has been hampered with a stress fracture of a vertebra in his back, will miss at least one game.

The fracture is located at the L2 joint, which is in the lower back. Although there is no specific timetable to rehab such an injury, Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said Mitchell could play with the discomfort up to five weeks.

He will miss Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars, and may be out for a portion of the Canucks' upcoming four-game road trip which begins Thursday.

Mitchell suffered the injury in a December 27 game against the Calgary Flames, as the veteran defenseman sidestepped a check but fell awkwardly into the side boards. Despite playing through the pain, Mitchell missed Vancouver's last two games prior to the All-Star break.

The 30-year-old backliner has posted only one goal, seven points and 60 penalty minutes in 47 games this season.