San Jose Sharks Igor Chernyshov left Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens early after taking a hit that left him lying on the ice and was later released from the hospital. Chernyshov, who has three goals and 11 points this season, was helped off the ice and did not return.
San Jose Sharks Igor Chernyshov Injury Details and Immediate Status
The injury occurred roughly 20 seconds into the first period when Chernyshov took a hit from Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson and appeared to hit his head on the ice. He slid headfirst along the surface and bloodied his face, attempted to stand twice but lost his balance both times, and required assistance from a linesman, a Sharks trainer and teammate Vincent Desharnais to reach the dressing room.
He left the game after a single shift, playing just 28 seconds, and the team announced he would not return. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Chernyshov was released from the hospital after the collision and is traveling with the team to Ottawa. Warsofsky described the moment as a scary situation but indicated a sense of relief that Chernyshov had been cleared to travel.
Teammates and opponents reacted with concern during the stoppage. Desharnais said he rushed to help calm Chernyshov and called the sequence unfortunate and likely accidental. Matheson said he was surprised by how Chernyshov went down and expressed hope that he would be OK.
Recall, Role This Season and What It Means Going Forward
Chernyshov had been recently recalled from the San Jose Barracuda and was playing his 16th NHL game, starting the contest on the first line alongside a top forward. The 20-year-old was the Sharks’ second-round pick, 33rd overall in 2024, and has been splitting time between the NHL and the AHL this season while in his first full professional campaign.
At the AHL level with the Barracuda, he played 41 games and recorded 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points. He spent the 2024-25 season in the Ontario Hockey League with strong production there, and had earlier experience in Russia’s leagues prior to moving to North America.
The Sharks travel to Ottawa for their next game on Sunday, and Chernyshov is with the team after being released from the hospital. The organization has confirmed he did not return to the Montreal contest after the hit and has taken the initial steps to recover while traveling with the club.
