Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brännström had to be stretchered off the ice in a scary scene at UBS Arena Thursday night.
The Senators were on the road to take on the New York Islanders when Brännström was checked into the boards by Cal Clutterbuck after a dump-in. The hit spun Brännström around and his head appeared to hit the ice very hard after the initial contact.
Scary scenes in New York as Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom gets stretchered off the ice after taking a hit from Cal Clutterbuck. Hoping Brannstrom is going to be okay pic.twitter.com/DEgVNsKEW1
— The Cam & Strick Podcast (@CamandStrick) October 27, 2023
#Isles players and the rest of the UBS arena applaud as Erik Brannstrom is moved off the ice into care from the medical staff. #Sens #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/iXlV7hbbc2
— Pesky Sickos (@PeskySickos) October 27, 2023
The players and officials on the ice signaled right away to the bench for assistance and the medical staff were quick to respond before Brännström was stretched off the ice. The incident quieted the crowd and was very concerning as Brännström didn’t move for some time after the hit.
Little is known at this time about Brännström’s condition although he did appear responsive a few moments after the hit. The Senators Communications team has tweeted that Brännström is alert, can move his extremities and will be transported to hospital to be evaluated further.
The incident comes one night after a very similar incident in the AHL in which Vasily Podkolzin of the Abbotsford Canucks suffered a terrible head injury after being hit into the boards and falling awkwardly to the ice. Much like Brännström, Podkolzin’s head hit the ice hard and a stretcher was needed to assist him.
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