William Eklund panics after being sliced by a skate at World Championship.

A scary scene has just unfolded during a friendly contest in preparation for the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Championship of Hockey.

San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund appears to have suffered a significant injury during an exhibition game between his home country of Sweden and Czechia when he was cut by the skate of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek along the boards. The incident appears to have been entirely accidental, with Hronek likely not even realizing that he had cut Eklund at the time of the incident, but it was very serious indeed.

Eklund was in a panic as he raced to the Swedish bench clutching at his arm, indicating that it was his arm or wrist area that had been hit with the blade of the skate, and Eklund could be seen stomping his skate into the ice as he attempted to deal with the pain and the panic overcoming him in that moment.

The Swedish forward quickly got to the bench where members of the training staff were quick to render him aid, although we don't know the extent of his injuries at this time. Obviously his status for the upcoming World Championship tournament is now in question.

Here is a look at video of the incident:

There have been some indications that Eklund is going to be alright, which is of course good news, but no official word yet on the severity of this injury.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story.