Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom left Thursday's game against the New York Islanders after falling awkwardly from a hit. He is alert and has use of his extremities.
Erik BrannstromOttawa Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom is alert and has use of his extremities after leaving the ice on a stretcher in Thursday's game against the New York Islanders, the team announced.
Midway through the second period, Brannstrom played the puck before being checked into the boards by Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck. Brannstrom fell awkwardly and appeared to hit his head on the ice. Play stopped shortly afterward so trainers and doctors could attend to him.
Players on both teams skated toward Brannstrom as he left on the stretcher, and he appeared to move his hands. The Senators said he's been transported to a local hospital near UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., for further evaluation.
The Islanders eventually won the game 3-2.
Brannstrom, 24, was playing in his seventh game of the season for the Senators, averaging 15:43 of ice time per game heading into Thursday's matchup. Since the Senators acquired the Eksjo, Sweden, native from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019, Brannstrom's played 197 career games with four goals and 45 assists for 49 points. Last season, the 15th overall pick in 2017 recorded career highs on games played (74), assists (16) and points (18) while tying his season-high two goals.
Needless to say, the hockey world is wishing the best for Brannstrom.