Canucks' Brock Boeser suffers concussion after hit from behind

A pair of Vancouver Canucks are in concussion protocol after Monday night’s 6-4 preseason win over the Ottawa Senators Monday night in Abbotsford.

Both winger Brock Boeser and defenceman Oscar Fantenberg were missing from practice on Tuesday, with head coach Travis Green confirming each are in “concussion protocol.”

Boeser & Fantenberg are both in concussion protocol, said Coach Green.

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 24, 2019

That Fantenberg has an injury is not surprising — he left the game after a big hit in the corner. Ottawa’s Jordan Szwarz was assessed a five-minute major for boarding on the play.

Boeser’s concussion comes as more of a surprise, given he didn’t miss a shift – though he was reportedly getting treatment post-game. The Canucks winger likely suffered the injury when hit from behind by Sens forward Chris Tierney early in the third period.

Boeser’s head appeared to slam into the boards and Tierney was assessed a two-minute minor boarding penalty. The Canucks scored a minute later while on the ensuing power play, with Boeser on the ice.

Here’s the hit that has Canucks fans enraged:

Tierney hit on Boeser #Canucks pic.twitter.com/F40X0v8YiL

— Matthew (@dooley_matt_) September 24, 2019

“Brock was surprised by [the hit] more than anything,” Green told reporters after practice. “He felt fine until about three minutes left in the period.”

Green wasn’t screaming bloody murder with the media, saying the hit was “unfortunate,” but also calling it a “hockey play.”

“Hopefully he’s back for next week,” he added.

The start of the regular season is eight days away.

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