Brewer to undergo back surgery

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Eric Brewer will undergo surgery for a herniated disc in his back and will be sidelined indefinitely.

The 29-year-old Brewer, the Blues' captain, missed the previous two games. He has one goal, five assists and a minus-14 rating in 28 games. His surgery is scheduled for today.

Brewer was named captain midway through last season. He's in the third year of a four-year, $17 million contract.

The Blues have lost two defensemen this week. Jay McKee is expected to miss between four and six weeks with a broken left ring finger sustained in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Flames.

-- AP