Kitchener Rangers' Brandon Robinson has scary face-first collision with boards during NHL prospect tournament (VIDEO)

In the here and now, the Kitchener Rangers' Brandon Robinson is perhaps fortunate to have not suffered a more grievous injury. In the long run, the footage of the 18-year-old crashing face-first into the boards on Monday night while playing for the Detroit Red Wings rookie squad at the Traverse City, Mich., prospect tournament should give pause to wonder about whether those events are good for the overall health of young players.

During the third period on Monday, Robinson collided into the boards, leading to a scary scene where the former OHL first-round pick lay motionless on the ice for several minutes. The good news is that Robinson, who on the cusp of his fourth junior season, is "moving well and talking," although he was to undergo X-rays in order to determine if he suffered a cervical spinal fracture.

As best as one can tell, it was a freak incident. Robinson was trying to check a Wild defenceman when he hurtled over him and hit the glass.

It goes without saying the same play just as easily could have happened in a junior league game. At the same time, taking into consideration the facial injuries the Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick Sonny Milano suffered on Friday and Vancouver Canucks farmhand's Frank Corrado's gratuitous forearm to the head of Calgary Flames rookie Johnny Gaudreau, it's within reason to question the greater worth of these September prospect tournaments. It goes without saying that the NHL clubs see it essential for helping instil expectations in the players in their pipeline, even though a lot of the participants are undrafted free agents.

However, the high-intensity environment of a short tournament involving eager-to-please players willing to do anything to impress the coaches/GM/director of amateur scouting might carry a heightened injury risk. It's also probably emotionally draining for players who believe they're playing for a contract and, if unsuccessful, still have a whole season to complete.

That is, admittedly, an emotional argument based on anecdote. The one saving grace is Robinson was not worse, probably thanks to being in his physical prime at a burly 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds. He was seen wearing a neck brace Tuesday morning and doctors said he can resume his hockey career when he's ready.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.