Remember how fighting in hockey is sorta starting to disappear? And, remember how the NHL draft is in June and the worst teams in the league are doing their very best to quietly tank as they vie for the first pick? And, well, remember top prospect Connor McDavid?
Fans of the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes will be none-too-pleased to learn that McDavid, battling with Jack Eichel for the mantle of hottest prospect to most likely enter the NHL draft next season, fractured his hand during a fight, according to Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun.
In a game last night between the Erie Otters and Mississauga Steelheads, the Otters captain, McDavid, squared off in a bout against Bryson Cianfrone.
McDavid, possibly displaying the reason he's only ever fought once before in his career, at one point missed Cianfrone with a punch and hit the glass instead.
Word emerged after the game that he had fractured a bone in his hand, and would see a specialist Wednesday for further evaluation, NBCSports' ProHockeyTalk.com reported.
"He's competitive and that happens in hockey, but certainly as a team we want him on the ice and we want him scoring goals not in the penalty box," said Erie Otters coach Kris Knoblauch, via Victor Fernandes of GoEerie.com. "But can't hold him back and take the bite out of him."
"He's certainly competitive and gets angry sometimes, but as a team we're certainly better with him."
McDavid was a lock to play on Canada's team at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, but his status is now in doubt. Training camp for the event begins Dec. 10 in Toronto.
Much like the Edmonton Oilers' young phenom Taylor Hall, the way McDavid plays the game - at such a reckless pace and with so much passion and grit - is what makes him such a fantastic prospect. Finding a balance between that passion and staying healthy will be a key for the 17-year-old as he enters the NHL next season.
McDavid had a goal and an assist prior to the fight, giving him 16 goals and 51 total points through 18 games this season.
