Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic leaves game against Vegas after high hit

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic will not return to tonight’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vlasic was hit in the second period by Golden Knights forward Brett Howden, who appeared to hit him high, but no head contact was on the play. Vlasic was shaken up on the play and immediately went to the locker room for further medical attention. During the third period, the Blackhawks announced he would not return.

Vlasic, 22, has appeared in seven games with the Blackhawks during the 2023-24 season so far, registering two assists, 14 blocked shots and seven hits while averaging 19:15 of ice time.

The Wilmette, Illinois, product has been with the Blackhawks since the 2021-22 season and has appeared in 28 games in that frame while scoring one goal and adding four assists for five points. Vlasic scored his first NHL goal on April 20, 2022, against the Arizona Coyotes. During the 2022-23 American Hockey League (AHL) season, while playing for the Rockford IceHogs, Vlasic tallied 19 points in 56 games.

He was initially drafted No. 43 overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Blackhawks. Vlasic spent three years with Boston University in the NCAA. where he tallied 20 points in 82 games. On the international stage, Vlasic has represented the United States at the Under-17 World Hockey Championships in 2017-18, tallying three points en route to Team USA winning a gold medal. In 2018-19, Vlasic once again represented the USA at the Under-18 World Junior Championships, notching one assist as the USA took home a bronze medal.