Scare as St. Louis Blues' Dylan Holloway hit in neck with puck

St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway had a major scare on Tuesday night, leaving the ice on a stretcher after a puck struck his neck during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Yet, just one day after the incident, Holloway was back at the Blues' practice facility, feeling much better and even hinting at a return to the ice by Thursday.

The 23-year-old has since shared his experience and expressed gratitude for the medical team's rapid response that night.

With just over a minute left in the first period, Holloway blocked a shot from Tampa Bay's Nick Paul, catching the puck right in the neck. At first, the young forward shook off the impact and skated down the ice, trying to make the most of a rare offensive opportunity.

However, after reaching the bench, Holloway quickly began to feel the effects of the hit.

"As soon as I got back to the bench, I started feeling woozy, and things became hazy from there," he explained. Minutes later, Holloway collapsed, prompting medical personnel from both teams to rush to his aid.

Play was immediately stopped, and the arena grew silent as Holloway was carefully placed on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.

Though visibly shaken, Holloway's family - who were present at the game - quickly accompanied him, providing much-needed .

Holloway's recovery and possible return

Holloway was released from the hospital around 11 p.m. that night, cleared with only minor restrictions on his physical activity.

Addressing the media the next morning, he spoke candidly about the frightening experience, explaining that the puck had struck a nerve, which briefly caused him to lose consciousness.

He described feeling "way better" just a day after the ordeal, adding, "Once I understood what happened, I felt a lot calmer."

His coach, Drew Bannister, shared his cautious optimism, acknowledging Holloway's resilience but choosing not to rush his return.

"We'll take it day by day," Bannister said. "He's been progressing well, but we're keeping a close watch on his recovery."

Holloway is now expected to be ready for the Blues' game against the Utah Grizzlies, although his final clearance will depend on the outcome of Thursday's assessment.

from family, teammates, and fans

Holloway expressed gratitude not only for the Blues' medical staff but also for the outpouring of from fans and his family. Having his parents, Bruce and Torrie, at his side during the incident was a great comfort.

"It's tough knowing they saw it happen, but it was reassuring to have them with me after," he reflected.

Meanwhile, Blues fans kept up with Holloway's condition through regular updates on the team's social media channels, with relief flooding in when it was revealed he was in good spirits.

The Blues' 3-2 victory that night over Tampa Bay was a morale boost for the team, and Holloway managed to stay updated with score reports from his mother.

As the team looks forward to Holloway's anticipated return, his resilience in the face of such a terrifying moment has brought a renewed spirit to the Blues.

The forward's experience serves as a reminder of the physical toll and occasional dangers that come with playing hockey at the highest level.