KHL player Gleb Kuzmin stretchered off in game after head-first collision into the boards

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Austin Kelly
September 17, 2024 (4:38 PM)

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KHL forward Gleb Kuzmin of Salavat Yulaev Ufa left a game against Avangard Omsk after colliding with Omsk defenseman Darren Dietz, with Kuzmin awkwardly sliding into the boards.

Kuzmin, who was visibly in pain, was removed from the match by medics who took him off via a stretcher. Kuzmin did not return to the game, which ended 4-2 for Salavat.

Salavat head coach Victor Kozlov called Kuzmin's injury "serious", and said it was "a big loss" for the team. His status and condition is not immediately known at this time.

According to Hockey News Hub, who first shared the video of Kuzmin's injury, reported hearing that Kuzmin appeared to suffer a spinal fracture, although it has been unconfirmed by the team if that is the case. A serious fracture could be season-ending, but a minor injury could only see Kuzmin out for a few weeks.

Kuzmin, 27, is in his eight KHL season with Salavat, having come up through their youth system. He has a goal and two points this season for the club, and has 26 career points in 128 KHL games, all for Salavat.

Dietz, 32, is a Canadian-born player currently representing Kazakhstan internationally.

A fifth round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Dietz played 13 career games for the Canadiens before moving to the KHL, having played in games for Kazakh-based Barys Astana & CSKA Moscow. Dietz is in his first season with Avangard, having a goal and 3 points on the year with his new club.