Editor’s Note: We have included the video as a publicly available record of what took place. Though efforts were taken to minimize the presence of graphic footage, the remaining sequences may be distressing for some viewers. Please exercise discretion before watching.
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie defenceman John Ludvig left his first NHL game with an injury after a collision with Dallas Stars forward Radek Faska. The Penguins announced that Ludvig will not return to the game and that the team will provide updates at a later time.
The collision, initiated by Ludvig, came midway through the second period at centre ice. Ludvig lay very still on the ice for several minutes afterwards while trainers from both teams attended to him. Eventually, he was able to get to his feet and slowly skate off the ice with the help of some teammates.
“He’s continuing to be evaluated at this point,” head coach Mike Sullivan said after the game. “That’s all I can really give you from a status standpoint. It’s a scary moment. It appeared that he almost got knocked out on the hit. Those are scary to watch. We are hopeful that he’s going to be okay.”
Ludvig, 23, was making his NHL debut in the game after he was claimed off waivers by the Penguins earlier this month. He was originally a third-round pick by the Panthers in 2019 and had 17 points in 54 AHL games last season.
The Stars won the game 4-1.