Former NHLer Ryan Smyth injured by headshot in Sr. AAA playoffs

Former NHLer Ryan Smyth, now a member of the Stony Plain Eagles of the Chinook Hockey League in Alberta, was injured Saturday after taking an elbow to the head in Game 1 of the provincial finals versus the Lacombe Generals.

Smyth was left lying motionless on the ice after the hit, but ultimately exited the ice under his own power and is resting at his Edmonton home, the team announced Sunday.

The incident took place in the third period. Generals forward Kyle Sheen targeted Smyth shortly after he scored the go-ahead goal, according to Mitch Goldenberg of the Spruce Grove Examiner.

"Sheen was backtracking Smyth and made a beeline for him right after he released the puck with a blindside elbow to the face, leaving his feet," Eagles coach Mike Tavaroli said.

Smyth, 41, is a veteran of 1,270 NHL games, in which he recorded 386 goals and 456 assists.