By Josh Yohe

Published: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 8:26 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, May 26, 2012

Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek had successful hip surgery, and the team believes he will be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.

There was no indication from the Penguins that Michalek was playing with an injury during the season. The defenseman — who signed a five-year, $20 million contract in 2010 — did not speak with reporters following the team's final gathering April 24 at Consol Energy Center, when players often reveal injury news. He had two goals and 11 assists in 62 regular-season games.

The surgery was performed Wednesday by Dr. Thomas Byrd of the Nashville Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. Michalek missed parts of the 2011-12 season with a concussion and a broken finger.

Michalek, a penalty killing specialist who turns 30 in December, had an even plus-minus rating in each of his first two seasons with the Penguins. Fellow Penguins defenseman Kris Letang acknowledged in April that he had been playing with a hip injury during the season.

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