Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek announced Wednesday that his month-long attempt to come back from a shoulder injury has ended in bitter disappointment.

The popular blueliner, out since Jan. 2 with a shoulder injury, said he will undergo season-ending surgery.

“Our team doctors have recommended this after a determined effort to rehab the injury without surgery,” Komisarek said in a statement released to the media.

“Having this done immediately is the right thing to do for the Leafs. I am truly sorry that I will not be able to represent my country at the Olympics.”

Indeed, the decision not only prematurely ends Komisarek’s first season as a Leaf, it dashes his hopes to represent the U.S. at the upcoming Vancouver Games.

Komisarek returned to practice over a week ago and worked diligently towards a return. But while he was able to skate and shoot at game levels, doctors could not clear him for physical contact.

Komisarek visited with Dr. James Andrews, a renowned shoulder surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama, two weeks ago and was presented with some grim news.

He was told he could attempt rehab and play through the pain. But his shoulder would remain unstable and would not heal correctly without surgery.

The valiant attempt to play ended Wednesday hours after Komisarek visited with doctors in the afternoon in one final attempt to gain clearance for physical contact.

Komisarek was signed as a free agent July 1 and appeared in 23 games, collecting three assists and 40 penalty minutes. He was named by Leafs GM and Team USA GM Brian Burke to the American squad Jan. 1.