I fix these fractures for a living. Sometimes they have plates and screws placed and sometimes they don't. If it is just the cheek bone (zygomatic arch), it usually isn't that invasive of surgery and is often done through the mouth. If the fracture includes the bones around the eye (ZMC fracture), its a little more invasive. Regardless, usually 6 weeks of healing is needed before contact sports should begin. Of course, a full face shield would probably get a player more quickly on the ice.