Filip Chytil injured after freak collision with referee in bizarre scene

If there is one player in the NHL who simply cannot catch a break, it has to be poor Filip Chytil, who might be the strongest candidate for that unfortunate title.

The Vancouver Canucks forward was forced to exit Thursday's preseason contest against the Edmonton Oilers after an unusual accident on the ice. Chytil tripped over the back of referee Riley Brace's skates and went head first into the end boards along the wall.

Both Chytil and the referee initially got to their feet after the collision. However, Chytil subsequently made his way to the locker room and did not return.

The Canucks confirmed via their official account that the forward would not be coming back to the game. The team did not provide any specifics regarding the nature or severity of a potential injury.

The incident is especially concerning given Chytil's extensive injury history. The 27-year-old Czech forward has reportedly been diagnosed with five concussions over the course of his still relatively young career. Vancouver will undoubtedly be hoping this latest collision did not result in another one.

Chytil's time with the Canucks has been plagued by health issues. Last season, he sat out 44 games with an upper-body injury, missed an additional game due to a migraine, and then suffered a facial fracture when a deflected shot struck him during a team practice. All told, he managed to suit up for just 12 games in Vancouver last season, recording three goals and zero assists.

The Canucks originally acquired Chytil from the New York Rangers during the 2024-25 season as part of a multi-player deal that also brought defenseman Victor Mancini and a conditional first-round pick to Vancouver. In return, the Canucks sent forward T.J. Miller, defenseman Erik Brannstrom, and defenseman Jackson Dorrington to New York. Chytil posted two goals and four assists in 15 games following the trade.

A first-round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, Chytil is entering the final year of a four-year contract worth $17.75 million. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. His best offensive campaign came in 2022-23 with the Rangers, when he tallied 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points across 74 games.

I’m worried about what might be next for Chytil, hoping that he will be able to avoid yet another extended absence before the regular season even begins.