Sharks forward says he’s ‘fine’ after scary on-ice incident in Czechia

San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund said everything was ‘fine’ late Saturday after he appeared to sustain a serious cut on or near his left hand or wrist in Team Sweden’s exhibition game against Czechia in Brno.

Eklund was checking Filip Hronek along the boards inside the Czechia zone when Hronek’s skate came up and caught Eklund in the hand/wrist area. Eklund immediately covered up the cut and quickly skated to Sweden’s bench to receive treatment.

“I didn’t see the situation, but saw William’s reaction. It was scary,” Sweden coach Sam Hallam told SVT Sport.

Eklund, 22, was later taken to a local hospital, where he posted a photo of the heavily bandaged area in an Instagram story on account with the caption, “Everything is fine, thanks for all the support.”

Todd Diamond, Eklund’s agent, told San Jose Hockey Now that the cut appeared not to have affected tendons or nerves.

It appears the injury will keep Eklund from competing in the upcoming IIHF World Championships in his hometown of Stockholm. Of greater concern to the Sharks is Eklund’s well-being and whether the injury will have any long-term effects.

Eklund was the Sharks’ second-leading scorer this past season with 58 points in 77 games. He was looking forward to representing his country at the World Championships for the first time, with an eye on being on Sweden’s roster for next year’s Winter Olympics in Italy.