Senators' Erik Brännström stretchered off ice after scary injury

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.