NEW YORK (AP) – Rangers forward Jed Ortmeyer has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Ortmeyer, who didn’t immediately return a phone message left Monday by The Associated Press, is scheduled to undergo more tests later this week, the Rangers said.

A pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of an artery in the lung, usually caused by one or more blood clots.

The 27-year-old right wing signed a deal last month worth just over $550,000 for next season and was expected to resume his role as a key member of the Rangers’ checking line. He became a restricted free agent after last season, when he led the team’s forwards with 75 blocked shots – the seventh-highest total at the position in the NHL.

Ortmeyer had five goals and two assists during the regular season and played in all but four of the 82 games. He was one of only four Rangers to record a goal against the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs, when New York was swept 4-0 in the first round,

In 136 NHL games over three seasons, the native of Omaha, Neb., has seven goals and six assists.

Ortmeyer, who wasn’t drafted, originally signed with the Rangers in May 2003 following a four-year collegiate career at Michigan. He had seven goals and 20 assists with Hartford of the AHL – the Rangers’ top minor league affiliate – during the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

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