Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares thanked the hockey community for its support in a statement released on Twitter Friday after he was discharged from hospital following a scary collision against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
“The support I’ve felt since last night cannot be put into words. I’m thankful to share that I’m back home and recovering,” Tavares’s statement reads. “Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, the Maple Leafs organization, Leafs Nation and the hockey community for being by my side.”
“I look forward to when I can wear the Maple Leafs on my chest again. Until then, I’ll be cheering on the boys along with Leafs Nation as we compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
Tavares was injured after an incidental collision with Corey Perry in the first period. The contact that led to the injury occurred after Tavares was sent to the ice by a hit from Ben Chiarot at the blue line. As Tavares was falling, Perry, while attempting to exit the zone, made contact with his head.
[radioclip id=5137465]Tavares stayed on the ice for several moments and appeared to be in significant distress. Trainers and doctors from both teams rushed to the ice and attended to him. Tavares was eventually stretchered off the ice, during which time he gave a thumbs up in the air.
The Maple Leafs announced Friday morning that Tavares had been discharged from hospital and is out indefinitely.
“Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been discharged from the hospital this morning,” the team said in a statement on Twitter. “He was thoroughly examined and assessed by the neurosurgical team at St. Michael’s Hospital and the club’s medical director. He was kept overnight for observation and is now resting at home under the care and supervision of team physicians. Tavares will be out indefinitely.”
Following the team update on Tavares’s condition, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that the 30-year-old suffered a concussion in the collision with Perry.
Teammate Auston Matthews told reporters that Tavares sent a group text on Thursday night following the incident indicating that he was feeling better.
Tavares, 30, had 19 goals and 50 points in 56 games for the Leafs this season, his third with the team since signing a seven-year, $77-million deal with Toronto in July 2018.
