Ryan Johnson goes hard in to the boards

Just bumped into Canucks general manager Mike Gillis in the GM Place elevator, who tells me that centre Ryan Johnson is going to be okay after a scary second-period incident here.

Johnson lost his balance while skating at a good clip, and slammed shoulder first into the end boards near the Detroit Red Wings net. Gillis said Johnson had movement and feeling in all his extremities, but did suffer a concussion after banging his head against the boards. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is awake and coherent. (more...)

It was a terrifying incident to watch, mostly because Johnson’s body looked limp and there wasn’t much movement as he was being tended to on the ice by Canucks doctors and trainers, who stabilized his head and neck. His right arm looked like it was locked into an awkward position, extended from his body and bent at a strange angle. He was carried off on a stretcher, his arms crossed over his belly and his fingers locked.

GM Place was hushed, and six very worried Canucks players stood near Johnson, each of them offering some words of encouragement as he was being wheeled off the ice surface. (The Globe and Mail) (less)

Added: 29 Oct 2009