Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers was badly cut Sunday night when his neck was sliced by a skate blade during a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Midway through the third period, linemate Olli Jokinen was being checked and as he flew forward, his skate blade accidently slashed the neck of Zednik.
Despite being badly cut, Zednik was able to skate to the Panthers' bench, where he was met by the team trainer.
Zednik was helped to the team dressing room before being rushed to hospital in stable condition. He is currently in surgery as team officials make arrangements to fly his wife to Buffalo.
The incident stirred memories of goaltender Clint Malarchuk, who had his jugular vein sliced open in a 1989 game against the St. Louis Blues, also played in Buffalo.