Defender John Ludvig certainly didn’t expect such a first game in the National Hockey League. The Pittsburgh Penguins player was completely taken aback by a check of his own making.
The 23-year-old Czech wanted to stand out by breaking into the Bettman scene against the Dallas Stars. The guard tried to control Radek Faksa in the middle of the ice, but the shot failed.
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The side of Ludvig’s head appeared to touch his opponent’s helmet and he immediately lost his legs. Unable to stand, Number 7 collapsed and remained on the ground for many seconds.
The Penguins player returned to the locker room to receive treatment but had to be assisted by his teammates.
“He remains under investigation at this time. That’s all I can tell you about his condition. It was a scary moment. It looks like he almost fainted upon contact. These are frightening sequences to watch. We hope it’s right,” head coach Mike Sullivan said in his postgame press conference.
Ludvig, a third-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2019, has spent the last three seasons in the American League.
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