Blackhawks' Connor Murphy leaves on stretcher after scary hit

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy was stretchered off the ice early in the first period of Saturday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators after he was checked head-first into the boards by Senators rookie blueliner Parker Kelly.

Kelly was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for the dangerous hit.

Murphy appeared to lose consciousness after hitting the boards and remained motionless on the ice while players and officials anxiously called for medical assistance. Blackhawks team doctors and medical staff tended to the 28-year-old for several minutes as a quiet and concerned Canadian Tire Centre crowd looked on.

As Murphy left the ice on a stretcher, a broadcast camera caught him giving a thumbs up to the well-wishing players surrounding him as he exited the playing surface, simultaneously reassuring those watching from the stands and on television.

Murphy has struggled to stay healthy since he was traded to Chicago in 2017, notably spending time in the concussion protocol earlier this season.

The Boston native has 10 points in 56 games this year, while averaging just over 22 minutes of ice time per game.

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