Anaheim Ducks defenceman Urho Vaakanainen stretchered off ice after crashing into boards

UPDATE: The Anaheim Ducks said on Twitter Friday night that Vaakanainen was taken to UCI Medical Center for evaluation. The Ducks added he had full movement in his extremities and is fully concious and alert.

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Anaheim Ducks defenceman Urho Vaakanainen was stretchered off the ice in San Jose 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.

According to multiple reports out of San Jose, 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.

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 defenceman Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins. He drew in for 14 games last season down the stretch notching two assists.

No update on Vaakanainen’s condition was available at the time of writing.