Ryan Suter is the most recent player sidelined by the mumps

The mumps has sidelined another NHL player, this time Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter. Suter, who may miss Friday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, is the NHL’s leader in ice time and was on pace to tie his career mark for point production.

The list of NHL players stricken with the mumps continues to grow, and you can add Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter to that list.

Suter, who has been a giant for the Wild since coming to the team in 2012-13, could reportedly miss Friday’s game when Minnesota takes on the Anaheim Ducks. Wild defensemen Jonas Brodin, Keith Ballard, Christian Folin and Marco Scandella have been sidelined with the ailment, not to mention other NHLers such as Corey Perry, Francois Beauchemin, and Tanner Glass.

Mumps is a contagious disease that can be spread through contact with other infected individuals, which makes it a bit less surprising for Suter to contract the illness with teammates who have previously been sidelined with it.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the mumps usually occur 2-3 weeks after the initial exposure to the disease, and they can include fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, pain during chewing or swallowing, and a loss of appetite. It can also result in swelling of the salivary glands, which can be extremely painful.

It’s an absolute shame to see Suter go down, as he has been incredible once again for the Wild. This season, he has played an average of more than 29 minutes a night and was on pace to tie his career high of 46 points.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter Michael Russo reported that the Wild have taken precautions by cleaning and sterilizing the dressing room to try and avoid having more players sidelined by the disease.

Said coach Mike Yeo to Russo: “Even though we decontaminated and cleaned the room, even though I don’t have it, I might still be bringing it back into the room. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. I don’t really know. I’m trying to learn and probably learning too much about this, to be honest with you. But we’re doing everything we can.”

Hopefully this can stop sometime soon and everyone can get to full health.