Minnesota Wild forward James Sheppard will miss at least three months -- and his season could be in jeopardy -- after shattering his left kneecap Saturday near Vail, Colo., the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Sheppard was injured while driving an all-terrain vehicle. Sheppard had surgery Saturday night.

This was to be a critical camp for Sheppard, 22, a 2006 first-round pick. The Wild re-signed him in the offseason but not before weighing whether to part ways with him. Sheppard had two goals and four assists in 64 games last season, his third in the NHL.

Reports indicated he went to Vail for altitude training. Wild officials were investigating the incident, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Coach Todd Richards told the Star Tribune that he and team officials were "really disappointed in what happened. I met him before he went out. It looked like he was in great shape. It looked like he had done everything physically to get himself ready for this camp, and then something like this happens."

Richard had been training in the Twin Cities before heading west. "He looked great," Richards said. "He was excited to get out on the ice."

It's possible the team could suspend Sheppard when he reports for camp on Sept. 17 since he was injured in an off-ice incident and will fail his physical.

Sheppard was on a "guided tour" with other NHL players when the crash occurred, the Star Tribune reports. He swerved to avoid a truck, lost control of the ATV and hit his knee.

The timing couldn't be much worse for Sheppard, who has been slow to develop. The Wild signed veteran free-agent centers Matt Cullen and John Madden in the offseason, and and prospects Cody Almond and Casey Wellman are expected to get a chance to challenge for roster spots in training camp, according to the Associated Press.

Early in the offseason, the Wild considered walking away from Sheppard, 22, after he scored two goals and four assists in 64 games during his third NHL season, according to the Star Tribune. Sheppard has 11 goals and 38 assists in 224 career games.