VANCOUVER – Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins says forward Jannik Hansen looks to be OK after he appeared to collapse on the bench following a hit during Saturday’s game.
“I think everything’s good,” Desjardins said following the Canucks’ 3-2 overtime win over the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. “He was at the hospital, everything’s checking out though, and I don’t think there’s going to a problem — everything looks real good.”
On Sunday morning, Desjardins confirmed that Hansen spent the night at the hospital as a precaution, adding that he thinks the Danish forward will probably be able to play Monday when the Canucks face the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Arena.
“At the time on the bench, you didn’t really know what it was, and that’s the problem,” said Desjardins Sunday. “He just took a real hard hit and he was having trouble getting his breath. It wasn’t more than that.”
Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman hit Hansen in the corner of the Calgary zone at 1:27 of the second period, lowering his shoulder to deliver a body check.
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Hansen skated to the bench on his own power, but appeared to be winded. He then seemed to collapse moments later while sitting down on the bench. His teammates were seen shouting out for medical attention.
The Canucks’ team doctor rushed to the bench to attend to Hansen, who then walked down the tunnel to the dressing room on his own before being taken to the hospital.
“It’s concerning (in the moment),” Desjardins said. “It seemed he couldn’t get his breath there. He got hit and he couldn’t breathe and went down. So whenever that happens, that’s not usual.
“But everything checked out at the hospital. Everything’s fine.”
Desjardins also added that he had not personally spoken with or seen Hansen since he left the game.
-with files from Jon Azpiri
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