Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton suffers brutal leg injury, leaves game

Dougie Hamilton’s leg should not bend that way.

The Carolina Hurricanes defenceman was caught in an awkward collision with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kevin Stenlund during Thursday’s matchup, and had his own leg tangled underneath him.

This might cause some jaw-clinching.

The 26-year-old eventually needed help off the ice after being attended to by Hurricanes staff.

It’s safe to say that he did not return.

Hamilton is in the middle of a career year — setting highs in points and time-on-ice — and is one of the Hurricanes’ key producers, as they hope to hold onto their playoff position.

After the 3-2 loss to the Blue Jackets, Carolina forward Jordan Martinook recognized the impact that they could potentially be losing.

"He's our All Star,” Martinook told reporters. “It shook everybody up seeing that happen. It’s the cliché hockey next-man-up type thing, but that’s a lot of big minutes to find. Guys will have to step up, and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later."

With no morning skate for the Hurricanes on Friday, there could be a slight delay until we hear any initial reports on the defenceman’s status.

Through 46 games played, Hamilton has scored 14 goals, 40 points and leads the NHL in plus-minus with a plus-30.

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