Wild forward hit by a puck, leaves the ice a bloody mess.

The preseason may only be exhibition games, but that doesn't diminish the risk to National Hockey League players that participate in them.

On Thursday night 27-year-old Minnesota Wild forward Tyler Ennis was struck in the face by a puck, a puck that immediately sliced his face open leaving him a bloody mess. 

Ennis was forced to head back to the locker room for repairs, and although he did not come out for the third period initially, he showed the true grit we've all come to expect from hockey players by eventually returning to the bench.

Here's a look at what his face was like.

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