Vancouver Canucks prospect and current Abbotsford Canucks defenceman Jack Rathbone was transported to a local hospital after being stretchered off the ice during an AHL game in San Jose on Saturday, the team announced.
Rathbone has since been discharged and is being monitored by the team's medical staff.
The incident occurred in the first period as Rathbone skated to retrieve a puck behind his net and made contact with a Barracuda player on the forecheck.
Rathbone remained on the ice, unmoving, until being stretchered off the ice.
The 23-year-old faced a similar incident just 11 months ago, when a hard hit into the boards during a game against the Bakersfield Condors also sent him off the ice on a stretcher.
Rathbone made the big club out of training camp in September after having a standout performance with AHL Abbotsford last season, scoring 10 goals and 40 points in 39 games.
While he's struggled at the NHL level — just one goal and four points in 23 games across three seasons — the club is optimistic about his future and he remains a fan-favourite prospect in Vancouver.
Rathbone was selected in the fourth round, 95th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL draft and has since played at the NCAA, AHL and NHL levels.
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