A National Hockey League match was brought to a sudden and shocking halt on Tuesday night after Winnipeg Jets defenceman Haydn Fleury sustained a frightening head injury and had to be stretchered from the ice.
A Brutal Collision Stops Play
The alarming incident occurred during the first period of the Jets' clash with the Vegas Golden Knights at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fleury collided heavily with Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar. Broadcast footage from TSN captured the moment Kolesar made contact with Fleury's chest, sending the Jets player hurtling backwards across the ice and into the boards.
The cameras showed Fleury crashing head-first into the boards before collapsing to the ice in clear distress, where he remained as medical staff rushed to his aid. His teammates quickly gathered around him in a show of support while he was carefully loaded onto a stretcher and removed from the rink. It was later confirmed that Fleury was transported to a local hospital via ambulance for further treatment.
On-Ice Tensions Boil Over
Play resumed shortly after the distressing scene, but tensions from the collision immediately spilled over. Vegas's Keegan Kolesar dropped the gloves with Jets captain Adam Lowry. In the ensuing fight, Lowry landed a powerful left hook that sent Kolesar to the ice before officials swiftly intervened to separate the pair.
Once both players were sent to the penalty box, the animosity appeared to subside, with the two seen conversing in a more civil manner. However, the same could not be said for fans on social media, who directed significant criticism at Kolesar for his role in the incident.
Fan Outrage and Support for Fleury
Reacting to video of the injury online, one supporter wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Damn, that's a career-ender. That's awful. Pray for him and his family." Another frustrated fan stated, "Kolesar should be fined and suspended without pay until Fleury is back in the lineup." A third added, "Just horrible. No matter the team, I hate seeing a player leave the ice on a stretcher. Hope he recovers."
In a positive update on Fleury's condition, reports indicated that the 27-year-old was 'fully alert' and 'moving his extremities' as the ambulance departed the arena. Fleury, who has played 47 games for the Jets, has had a lengthy professional career in the league.
Golden Knights Secure Dramatic Win
When the game finally concluded, the Vegas Golden Knights emerged victorious with a 4-3 win secured in dramatic overtime. The result, however, was heavily overshadowed by the serious injury to Haydn Fleury, with the hockey community now awaiting further news on his recovery timeline.
