Kitchener Rangers rookie defenceman Ben Fanelli was airlifted to a hospital in Hamilton after a hit sent him head-first into the boards on Friday night.
Fanelli, 16, was battered into the end boards by Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas. Replays of the hit appear to show Fanelli's face hitting a metal stanchion between the glass panels after his helmet popped off.
His head then slammed to the ice, leaving him unconscious in a pool of blood.