Denver’s Brittain tears ACL, done for ’11-12 season?

Denver goalie Sam Brittain will undergo surgery this Friday to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee and may miss all of his 2011-12 sophomore season.

Brittain told the Denver Post on Monday that he’s hoping he can return for the WCHA playoffs next spring.

“If rehab goes well and everything comes into place, January or February would be phenomenal to try to get back,” Brittain told the paper. “It’s definitely an uphill climb, but with the training staff at the University of Denver, I’ll be in great hands.”

“He’s determined to be ready by January,” DU coach George Gwozdecky added in the same Post article. “He’s eager to get the procedure out of the way and start his rehab.”

Brittain said he injured his knee March 19 in the WCHA championship game against North Dakota.

Adam Murray will begin the season as DU’s No. 1 goalie, with his temporary backup to be added to the roster this summer.

“It’s very difficult, definitely something I don’t want to go through, but it needs to be done,” Brittain said regarding surgery. “In terms of not being able to play, I know the team is very confident with Adam taking all the load, and I know the team will do great.”