Blackhawks' Khaira responsive after being stretchered off

Posted December 08, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Chicago Blackhawks center Jujhar Khaira (16) lays on the ice after being knocked out by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira was taken to a hospital after he was leveled by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and wheeled off on a stretcher Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old Khaira suffered an 'œupper-body blow,'ť the team said, and was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

'œHe's up, he's talking, he's very responsive,'ť interim coach Derek King said after Chicago's 6-2 loss. 'œI think he wants to get back on the ice. He's done some tests already, as far as what the doc told me, but he has some more tests to be done. So we won't know the extent of the injury until after these tests.'ť

Khaira's head was down as he gathered in the puck 6:10 into the second period. He looked up right as Trouba appeared to drive his right shoulder into his chin.

The back off Khaira's head bounced hard off the ice, and there was no sign of any movement from him as the Blackhawks and Rangers scuffled nearby.

'œPersonally I was pretty shaken,'ť Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. 'œI'm not going to lie to you. Just glad to hear he's doing OK.'ť

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.

The Blackhawks' Riley Stillman fought Trouba about five minutes later.

'œIt's a bad effect. I didn't feel too good and I know our player didn't feel too good, either,'ť New York coach Gerard Gallant said. 'œIt's a part of hockey, it's a big hit, but I don't think it helped the game. To see a guy like that, it's hard to look at.'ť

Khaira has two goals and no assists in 17 games in his first season with the Blackhawks.

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Chicago Blackhawks center Jujhar Khaira (16) leaves the ice on a stretcher after being knocked out by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

Chicago Blackhawks center Jujhar Khaira (16) leaves the ice on a stretcher after he was knocked out by New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) The Associated Press

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