Geoffrion Suffers Depressed Skull Fracture, in Stable Condition

The speed and physicality of the sport of ice hockey is what draws the interest of so many people across the world. Unfortunately, those two factors add to the potential for serious injury.

Former Wisconsin captain Blake Geoffrion was unfortunately on the wrong end of that spectrum Friday night when he suffered a serious head injury in an American Hockey League contest.

Geoffrion, an NHL prospect of the Montreal Canadiens has been playing with their top farm club, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Geoffrion was leading the club in scoring through 10 games with four goals and two assists.

In Friday nights game vs Syracuse, Crunch forward J.P. Cote landed a hip check on the former Badger center and sent him tumbling to the ice. Geoffrion's legs flew up in the air after impact, and his head was thrust into the ice.

The game was being played at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and Geoffrion was rushed to a local hospital immediately. According to the Canadiens, Geoffrion suffered a depressed skull fracture and doctors performed surgery on Friday night.

The Candiens press release says that surgery was successful, but that Geoffrion remains in the intensive care unit. Geoffrion's parents were at the game and are with him at the local Montreal hospital.

Geoffrion is expected to make a full recovery.

A Brentwood, Tenn. native, Geoffrion saw his four year career at Wisconsin culminate with an appearance in the 2010 Frozen Four. Geoffrion was also named that season's Hobey Baker winner, which is awarded to the top player in college hockey.

A second round draft pick of the Nashville Predators, Geoffrion was traded to the Montreal Canadiens last season in a package that sent Hal Gill to the Predators.

The grandson of Bernie "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion and great-grandson of Howie Morenz, Geoffrion is the NHL's first four generation player.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Geoffrion family at this critical time.

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