Montreal Canadiens prospect Nikita Scherbak appears to have avoided serious injury.
The forward, who plays for Everett in the Western Hockey League, was stretchered off the ice, with his neck in a brace, Saturday night during the Silvertips’ 3-2 shootout win in Seattle.
According to The Daily Herald, Scherbak, who was injured on a legal hit into the boards, was cleared of any head or neck problems and discharged from hospital Saturday night.
Further tests showed there was no nerve or back damage, and scans for fractures came back negative.
Scherbak is expected to be re-evaluated on Monday.
The 18-year-old was Montreal’s first-round pick (26th overall) in 2014.
In 19 games with the Silvertips this season, Scherbak has 11 goals and 28 points.