Canada’s Ridly Greig exits game vs. Switzerland after taking hit

Canada's Ridly Greig (17) and Finland's Joni Jurmo (4) battle for the puck as goalie Leevi Merilainen (1) looks for the puck during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton on Monday August 15, 2022. (Jason Franson/CP)

Canadian forward Ridly Greig left the World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal game against Switzerland and did not return following a hit from Swiss defender Vincent Despont on Wednesday night in Edmonton.

Racing for the puck late in the first period, the Ottawa Senators prospect appeared to take the hit off his shoulder. Looking shaken up, he returned to the bench briefly before heading to the locker room.

Head coach Dave Cameron said Greig was being evaluated after the 6-3 win and the team would provide a further update on Thursday.

A strong two-way player able to score hard-earned goals and lay heavy hits, an injury to Greig would be a huge loss for Team Canada. His penalty-killing abilities kept Canada in the game against Finland following a string of third-period infractions that gave the Finns an extended two-man advantage. Greig also scored the winner in the victory over the Finns.

In four games in the preliminary round, Greig scored three goals and tallied six points in addition to playing on the power play and penalty kill for Team Canada. This is his first appearance at the World Juniors.

The Senators picked the Brandon Wheat Kings product in the first round (28th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

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