Ice hockey player out cold before he hits the ice after 'terrifying' hit

A future NHL player was knocked unconscious after a scary hit which required him to be lifted out of the arena by paramedics.

Ruslan Ishakov, a freshman forward for the University of Connecticut who was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of June's draft, was left flat on the ice in a game against Quinnipiac on Wednesday.

Ishakov was met in the centre of the ice by a vicious hit, terrifying the crowd in the third period of the game.

UConn said the 18-year-old was transported to hospital for precautionary reasons and that he was OK.

"Ruslan Iskhakov was transported to the hospital from the arena during last night's game at Quinnipiac for precautionary reasons," the school said in a statement released to a UConn blog.

"All tests were normal and he was released from the hospital. He is currently back on campus in Storrs and is doing well. He will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis with no timetable set for a return."

Glad @UConnMHOC Ruslan Iskhakov was released from hospital after big hit. He’s back on campus, doing well @WTNH pic.twitter.com/eEakItum9U

— John Pierson (@JPPierson) October 17, 2018

Watching UConn and Quinnipiac stream, Islanders prospect and UConn freshman Ruslan Iskhakov is being stretchered off the ice after taking a big hit in open ice. Very, very scary moment. Was down for a long time before being taken off by the paramedics.

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) October 17, 2018

Absolutely terrifying moment during the UConn-Quinnipiac game as 6-1 Brogan Rafferty hit 5-7 Ruslan Iskhakov (NYI 2nd rd pick) in open ice...out cold before he even hit the ice.

Good news: he was moving all extremities and talking as he was stretchered off.

— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) October 17, 2018