Vasily Podkolzin Returns to Health After Upper-Body Injury in AHL Action
Vasily Podkolzin, the Russian forward who skates for the Abbotsford Canucks, has been released from the hospital after sustaining an upper body injury. Reports circulated on social media from journalist Ian McIntyre, who noted that the player was seen near the Vancouver Canucks practice rink in the aftermath of the incident.
During an American Hockey League clash on October 26, Abbotsford faced the Colorado Eagles and emerged with a 5-2 win. In the closing moments of the third period, Podkolzin collided with defenseman Keaton Middleton, crashed into the boards, and was carried off the ice on a stretcher. Middleton received a five-minute major penalty for the play. This moment marked a serious scare for the Canucks organization and its prospects in the farm system.
In the prior season, Podkolzin appeared in 39 games for Vancouver, registering four goals and three assists. He also spent time with the Abbotsford Canucks, contributing to the organization’s depth on both the NHL and AHL rosters. Vancouver finished the season outside the playoff picture, extending their playoff drought to four consecutive years. The organization has remained focused on developing top talent within its system while pursuing improvements at the NHL level.
The trajectory of Podkolzin’s career reflects his rise from a highly regarded prospect to a now-established player within the Canucks fold. Emerging from St. Petersburg, he moved to North America to pursue his dream of playing in the National Hockey League. Podkolzin entered the 2019 NHL Draft as one of the most touted prospects and was selected tenth overall by Vancouver. He later signed a three-year contract with the club on May 31, 2021, signaling the team’s confidence in his potential to contribute at the highest level.
In recent news, a former hockey player was disqualified for 41 matches due to gambling rule violations, a reminder of the varied off-ice issues that can impact a professional hockey career. This development contrasts with Podkolzin’s continued focus on return-to-ice readiness and ongoing development within the Canucks organization. For fans following the Vancouver Canucks and their farm system, Podkolzin’s health status and future role remain a key point of interest as the team builds for the seasons ahead.
Attribution note: Information summarized from team reports and social media updates by accompanying sports journalists and league observers. Readers are encouraged to follow official team communications and credible sports news outlets for the latest on Podkolzin and related personnel movements. This article compiles publicly available information to provide a clear timeline of events and context around Podkolzin’s injury, recovery, and career progression.