Linesman Ryan Gibbons was injured in a pregame collision with a player prior to the opening faceoff.
Gibbons collided with Arizona Coyotes forward Liam O’Brien prior to his team’s game against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Gibbons skated away from the Arizona bench, directly into O’Brien’s path. The linesman, whose helmet was knocked off, fell to the ice clutching his right wrist.
Gibbons was taken off the ice on a stretcher and transported to LA’s California Medical Center. The linesman appeared to be conscious and talking with the medical team.
No official update from the league on Gibbons’ condition. He was diagnosed with a concussion, per The Athletic, and released from the hospital. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that the Gibbons’ CT scan was clear and confirmed that he’s now following the league’s concussion protocol.
The game was officiated by a three-man crew of referees Jake Brenk and Brandon Schrader with linesman Ryan Galloway.
Gibbons joined the NHL in 2015. The Vancouver-born official has worked 416 regular season and 33 playoff games.
