Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Dougie Hamilton breaks leg in scary-looking fall

Dougie Hamilton, one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL, broke his left fibula in Thursday night’s game after his leg bent awkwardly during a fall.

Michael Smith, a senior editor for the Hurricanes’ website, tweeted that Hamilton was being evaluated by team doctors “and could undergo a procedure as early as (Friday). A further update and recovery timeline will be known (Friday) evening.”

The Carolina Hurricanes’ All-Star Game representative and Columbus Blue Jackets rookie centre Kevin Stenlund were pursuing a loose puck during the second period when Stenlund’s skate hit Hamilton’s. The defenceman lost his balance and his full weight came down on his awkwardly bent leg and ankle.

Hamilton immediately called out for assistance and needed help getting to the dressing room, unable to put weight on his left leg.

Hamilton ranks fourth among NHL defencemen with 40 points, 10 off his career high. He ranks second in the NHL in plus-minus at plus-30.

Hurricanes defenceman Jaccob Slavin will replace Hamilton at the All-Star Game.

Hamilton’s injury continues a bad run of luck for representatives to the Jan. 24-25 All-Star Weekend in St. Louis. Since the NHL named its players last month, Jake Guentzel (Penguins), Kyle Palmieri (Devils), Joonas Korpisalo (Blue Jackets), Logan Couture (Sharks), Jakob Silfverberg (Ducks) and Darcy Kuemper (Coyotes) have been hurt. Alex Ovechkin (Capitals), Marc-Andre Fleury (Golden Knights) and Tuukka Rask (Bruins) pulled out and Rask suffered a concussion afterward.

Silfverberg returned Thursday from his injury but is excused from the game because of the pending birth of his second child.

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant was fired and will replaced as Pacific Division coach by the Arizona Coyotes’ Rick Tocchet.