Former Washington Capitals winger Wojtek Wolski is in intensive care this morning after sustaining a serious neck injury in a KHL game last night. 

Playing for defending KHL champions Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Wolski chased the puck toward the sideboards while on a power play and up 3-1 in the third period. As he dove, he collided with Vladimir Markelov of Barys.

Wolski slid and slammed headfirst into the boards while in the prone position. There was instant concern for Wolski as Magnitogorsk players immediately signaled for medical help. Wolski, 30, was stretchered off the ice:

Wolski played in 27 games for the Capitals during the 2012-2013 season.

It’s a spinal cord injury and and fractured 4th and 7th bone of cervical veterbrae

— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) October 14, 2016

Wolski left Poland with his parents and older brother Kordian in 1989 and was eventually drafted by the Colorado Avalanche (21st overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Woljtek reached out to fans through his Twitter account early this morning.

Thank you to everyone that reached out.I greatly appreciate it and feel lucky to have such amazing friends and family.#ThankGOD

— Wojtek Wolski (@WojtekWolski86) October 14, 2016

UPDATE: 11:50 AM:
An associate of Wojtek posted this message on behalf of Wolski:

Just spoke with @WojtekWolski86 following the horrific incident on the ice yesterday. Asked me to pass this message on. pic.twitter.com/C1WcNOVsAR

— Gino Reda (@GinoRedaTSN) October 14, 2016

By Jon Sorensen