Sabres invitee Campoli stretchered off after hard hit at development camp

An event normally associated with optimism became the site of a scary scene Tuesday morning.

Michael Campoli, an undrafted invitee to the Buffalo Sabres' development camp, had to be stretchered off the ice after absorbing a hard hit from prospect William Carrier during the team's 3-on-3 tournament.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray said afterward that Campoli was taken to hospital but was awake, moving his extremities and joking around, according to NHL.com's Joe Yerdon.

Players were sent to the dressing rooms while Campoli was attended to by medical personnel..

Trainers stabilized Campoli's neck as he lay flat on the ice while waiting for EMTs to arrive. He was eventually removed on the stretcher and taken to the arena elevators, with Murray looking on.

The players were called back on the ice and play resumed after Campoli's departure.

The 18-year-old defenseman is committed to Boston College for next season. He played for three years in the U.S. National Team Development Program.