The advent of social media has allowed players to give fans a closer look at the often gruesome realities of sport, and Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner is the latest NHLer to share his pain with the world.
Gagner suffered a broken jaw after taking a high stick from Vancouver’s Zack Kassian Saturday night and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday. He is out indefinitely, while Kassian was suspended five regular season games on Monday as a result.
The 24-year-old London, Ont., native’s mangled mug shot, however, is one in a growing gallery of player injuries gone public.
We all remember former Toronto Maple Leaf Daryl Boyce showing off his mutilated nose after catching it in a camera hole in the glass a few years back, but there’s no way we’re going to subject you to that image.
And last season the Oilers tweeted a photo of Gagner’s teammate, Taylor Hall, after he received 30 stitches in his forehead after being stepped on during a pre-game skate.
Then there’s the less severe but still excruciating looking injuries like the bruise former NHL blue-liner Sami Lepisto suffered when blocking a shot. This is just a sample of a long and disturbing list, one that will grow as social media continues to increase in popularity among players.
