Top Canucks Youngster Leaves Game On Stretcher After Horrifying Hit

Vasily Podkolzin, playing in the AHL for the Abbotsford Canucks, was forced off the ice in a stretcher by paramedics late in the 3rd period after a hard hit to the boards from Colorado Eagles Forward Keaton Middleton.

A replay of the video shows Middleton knocking Podkolzin hard into the boards, with Podkolzin appearing to hit both his head and back in the process, with Podkolzin not moving as play continues.

Eventually, play was stopped, with medical personnel attending to Podkolzin, who did not move on his own accord. Reports from eyewitnesses on the scene describe Podkolzin as appearing to be convulsing on the ice.

Some eyewitnesses said Podkolzin appeared to be conscious after leaving the arena. Podkolzin himself posted a photo to his Instagram Story from his hospital bed, with the caption "all good, no worries!!".

Podkolzin, 22, has had a strong start to the AHL season, netting 5 Goals and 7 Points in 6 Games for Abbotsford. A former 10th Overall Pick of the Canucks in 2019, Podkolzin was working on the path to re-joining Vancouver's roster.