Capitals 2018 first-round pick Alex Alexeyev has had a breakout season with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. Alexeyev has 43 points in 49 games, but Friday against the Brandon Wheat Kings, he may have suffered a severe injury that puts his status for the rest of the season in question.
The Russian defenseman was involved in a scary knee-on-knee hit with Ben McCartney in the third period. The Caps prospect needed to be stretchered off the ice and was agonizing pain, according to reports.
Josh Hall of rdnewsnow.com reported what happened on Twitter. Alexeyev suffered an injury to his left knee.
Doesn't look good for Alexander Alexeyev… in agony on the ice after a knee on knee hit involving Ben McCartney. Some pushing and shoving going on. RD bench not happy… #WHL
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW (@vancan19) March 9, 2019
No call on the play.
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW (@vancan19) March 9, 2019
Stretcher coming out for Alexeyev… #WHL https://t.co/6Wrcnn3uDl
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW (@vancan19) March 9, 2019
Injury appears to be to Alex's left knee.
A 1st round pick in 2018 of the @Capitals, Alexeyev has 10 goals and 33 assists in 48 games this season.
Now a second stretcher on the ice. He's on the spineboard, but really cautious movements by the medical staff. #WHL https://t.co/LErJTBN9zD
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW (@vancan19) March 9, 2019
Alexeyev headed off in lots of pain, clearly… #WHL pic.twitter.com/I4Q1ucKXPe
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW (@vancan19) March 9, 2019
The Red Deer Rebels’ had more in their game recap, saying the team would know how severe the injury is “in the next 48 hours, 72 hours” according to Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter.
The Rebels may have been dealt a serious blow when defenceman Alex Alexeyev suffered what appeared to be a knee injury following an open-ice collision with the score tied 3-3 and was transported off the ice on a stretcher.
“We’ll have to wait and see how he is in the next 48 hours, 72 hours. I don’t know any more than that right now,” said Sutter.
The unfortunate incident sparked his teammates to victory, said Smith.
“Seeing Alex go down and seeing what he has been through this season and last season, I think it just drove the players to finish the game off for him,” he stated.
When asked for comment, a Washington Capitals representative said the team was aware of the incident.
“Our medical staff has been in contact with Red Deer, but we’ll let their staff provide updates on the player,” the Capitals representative said.
This is the second scary injury Alexeyev has suffered this season. The Russian d-man had to visit the hospital after being boarded in a game in December.
The first-round pick signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals in September and is one of the team’s top prospects.
Headline photo (with permission): rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall
