New Jersey Devils prospect Filip Engaras stretchered off the ice in Montreal after violent board collision
Utica Comets forward Filip Engaras had to be stretchered off the ice after he collided head-first with the boards last night.
Engaras was working the puck in the offensive zone when he stumbled awkwardly and unexpectedly, toppling head over heels, unfortunately falling straight into the boards, head-first.
The Devils prospect remained motionless on the ice after the the collision. Naturally, the play was quickly stopped and the Comets trains came onto the ice to attend to him. Ultimately, they decided to take him out on the stretcher, but it appears as though this was precautionary. The Comets provided us with an update around the time the game ended. They revealed that Engaras was fully alert and responsive as he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, which of course, is always an encouraging sign.
Engaras joins a growing list of players who have suffered serious injuries this season. New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair for example, is out 4-6 weeks after straining his groin. Of course, Engaras's injury is certainly a lot scarier considering it involves head contact.
Luckily, we haven't had many seriously scary injuries this season. Of the few big ones, several of them actually came in the preseason which is just another reason why the league should shorten he preseason.
This season is Engaras' third with the Comets. In 95 career games with the team he has 10 goals and 16 points. He was originally drafted 169th overall by the Oilers and sent his rookie season in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, where he had 2 goals in 11 games before he was traded to Utica. Unfortunately he will have a hard time cracking a deep Devils roster so he could be with the Comets for years to come.
