Anaheim Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen stretchered off ice after crashing into boards

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Zach Laing | Last updated 9/30/22

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen was stretchered off the ice Friday night after crashing hard into the boards.

The incident happened at the 9:46 mark of the first period. Vaakanainen pinched deep into the San Jose zone and deflected a pass across the ice to teammate Derek Grant who scored, but the rearguard got tied up with a Sharks player and crashed hard into the board.

Derick Grant makes it 1-0 pic.twitter.com/2lm3s5oHBF
— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) October 1, 2022

According to multiple reports, Vaakanainen was stretchered off the ice. The entire Ducks team came off the bench to check in on him as he left the ice, The Athletic’s Eric Stephens reported.

The Ducks announced Vaakanainen was taken to a local hospital and had "full movement in his extremities and is fully conscious and alert."

This marks the second scary incident for the Ducks in as many days. During a Thursday night game against the Arizona Coyotes, star forward Trevor Zegras was injured in a big center-ice collision with prospect Jan Jenik.

Vaakanainen, 23, was acquired with other pieces by the Ducks days before the NHL’s trade deadline last year in a deal that saw them send defenseman Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins. He drew in for 14 games last season down the stretch notching two assists.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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