ORONO – Sophomore goaltender Jimmy Howard of the University of Maine hockey team will miss 2-4 weeks due to a sprained knee.

Howard has a 5-1-1 record this season with 12 goals against and .932 save percentage.

He was scheduled to play with the United States Junior Team at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland, but will now not participate.

Howard will also not be available for the Black Bears’ upcoming games at the Everblades Classic in Florida on Dec. 27 and 28.