NHL referees and linesmen know that they put themselves at risk when they step onto the ice, just ask Steve Barton.
Last month, Barton was stretchered off the ice during a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers, after hitting his head on the ice.
[NBC’s Stanley Cup Playoff Hub]
Thankfully, the linesman made a full recovery and he was able to start working the playoffs. Unfortunately, he suffered another injury in last night’s contest between the Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. Director of officiating Steven Walkom announced that Barton suffered a dislocated knee cap and torn quadriceps.
Here’s how the injury occurred:
Linesman Steve Barton is down after twisting his knee. He needs to be stretchered off. #ALLCAPS #CBJ pic.twitter.com/uJGHX00jQs
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) April 16, 2018
“Steve suffered a dislocated knee cap and a torn quadriceps which will require surgery,” Walkom said of Barton, per The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “Fortunately, doctors told him this is the type of injury that you recover back to 100 percent.”
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.