Chicago Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira was stretchered off the ice Tuesday night following a hit by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Khaira’s head was down as he attempted to gather the puck 6:10 into the second period, when Trouba applied a severe hit to Khaira’s upper body.
Khaira appeared to already be unconscious as he fell to the ice. His head bounced hard off the ice, as there was no signs of any movement.
#NYR #Trouba pic.twitter.com/SlnvPITVRv
— Dona_Tone_ (@FuLLkLiP_) December 8, 2021
A stretcher was wheeled onto the ice, and medical personnel worked on Khaira as each team looked on from the bench area. A handful of his teammates and the Rangers tapped the stretcher as Khaira was taken off.
UPDATE: Coach King on Jujhar Khaira’s status – “He’s up. He’s talking. He’s very responsive.” https://t.co/2pks3F7F0f
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 8, 2021
As the hockey world awaits further updates on the status of Khaira, the focus will now shift to the legality of the hit and the potential for discipline from the league.
The other angle of the Trouba Khaira hit #blackhawks #NYR pic.twitter.com/2xzzS3PcYH
— Northern Lights Sports (@NLightsSports) December 8, 2021
The Blackhawks’ Riley Stillman fought Trouba about two minutes later.
The 27-year-old Khaira has two goals and no assists in 17 games in his first season with the Blackhawks.
By Jon Sorensen
Looks clean to me. No? Hate that after a clean hit a guy needs to fight whoever. I am all for keeping fighting in the NHL, so I am not that guy, but a good hit is nothing to fight over. I could kind of understand if it is a top player that got hit (whether hurt or not), but otherwise I don’t get it.
Hmm, looked clean to me too…but dunno if DoPS will give out anything to Trouba. Unfortunate that Khaira hits his head, that is kind of scary and gotta thank that helmet for really protecting him from any serious damage.