Former Avalanche Champion Hospitalized After Frightening Puck-to-Head Incident

Colorado Avalanche fans will remember Nico Sturm as a small but memorable part of the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run. On Monday night, though, the former Avalanche forward was at the center of a frightening scene in Minnesota.

Sturm was taken to a local hospital by ambulance after being struck near his right ear by a puck during the Minnesota Wild’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at Grand Casino Arena.

The incident brought back difficult memories for Minnesota’s players, who watched defenseman Brock Faber suffer a fractured skull after taking a shot to the head during a preseason game against the Dallas Stars on September 25.

This time, the puck appeared to change direction at the last moment as Minnesota captain Jared Spurgeon attempted to play it, striking Sturm near the ear and sending him crashing to the ice.

“Very, very scary,” Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt told The Athletic after the game.

Wallstedt acknowledged that the team immediately thought about what happened to Faber just weeks earlier, adding that players were left hoping Sturm’s injury wasn't as serious.

Wild coach John Hynes said Sturm was being evaluated at a hospital but did not have a further update on his condition. Hynes also confirmed the forward would not travel with the team to Winnipeg for Tuesday’s matchup against the Jets.

Sturm, 31, has ties to both Minnesota and Colorado. He played for the Wild before being traded to the Avalanche ahead of the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for forward Tyson Jost.

He didn't spend long in Denver, but he arrived at the right time.

Sturm recorded three points in 21 regular-season games with Colorado before adding two assists in 13 playoff appearances during the Avalanche’s run to their third Stanley Cup championship. He played a depth role on a team that ultimately reached the sport’s biggest prize.

Monday’s incident marks Sturm’s second stint with Minnesota and an unsettling moment for a team still dealing with Faber’s preseason injury.

For Avalanche fans who remember Sturm’s contribution to the 2022 championship, the hope now is simply that the former Colorado forward will recover in the long-term while he remains on injured reserve.