Scary news out of the KHL, as former Colorado Avalanche forward Wojtek Wolski was seriously injured during Thursday’s matchup between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Barys Astana.
Wolski was chasing the puck against the boards when he collided with Vladimir Markelov. Wolski slid with Markelov on top of him and went face first into the boards, violently hitting his neck. Wolski was motionless on the ice and had to be stretchered off the ice by training staff.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]The coaching staff initially stated Wolski had a potential concussion, but the damage is much worse than initially feared. In a statement, Mettalurg announced Wolski suffered multiple fractures to his vertebrae and spinal cord, a concussion, and other injuries.
“Fracture of the seventh and fourth cervical vertebrae injury of the cervical spinal cord, brain concussion, bruises and abrasions on the face.”
It was later reported Wolski would miss the remainder of the KHL season with the multiple injuries.
https://twitter.com/KHLNewsEN/status/786931028820656128
The 30-year-old played 451 games in the NHL with Colorado, New York, Florida, and Washington, scoring 99 goals and 267 points in 451 games. He last appeared with the Capitals in 2012-13.
The injury is significant and whether Wolski plays hockey again at this point is unimportant. Suffering serious spinal damage is life-altering. Let’s hope he can make a full recovery and someday return to hockey in some capacity.
