A Montreal Canadiens player was injured when he was hit by a car Monday in downtown Salt Lake City, a day before the team’s game Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club.
Salt Lake City police identified the player as Emil Heineman, though they offered no details about how the accident happened. Heineman, a 23-year-old left wing from Sweden, has 10 goals and seven assists on the season.
“I don’t really know the story. I wasn’t there. I just know he got hurt crossing the street yesterday. I don’t think it was at a high speed but enough to cause some damage, so it’s unfortunate,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis told reporters Tuesday.
The Canadiens said they expect Heineman to be out three to four weeks with an upper body injury.
At 2:55 p.m. on Monday, police dispatch received information about a car crash involving a pedestrian near 200 East and 500 South in Salt Lake City, police said. Later in the evening, officers received more information from a nearby business.
“Officers learned the pedestrian was a Montreal Canadiens hockey team player. The team identified the pedestrian as Emil Heineman and did not show any signs of serious injuries and was being attended to by team doctors,” according to police.
Police said officers identified all parties involved in the crash, which is being investigated by the Utah Highway Patrol because the driver is a city employee. The Salt Lake City mayor’s office said it can’t comment on open investigations.
Montreal left wing Michael Pezzetta said players heard about the accident at the team hotel when Heineman texted in their group chat Monday afternoon, “I got a funny story for you guys.”
“He’s a great guy,” he said. “We were all supposed to go to dinner together.”
Center Jake Evans said he had a chance to talk to Heineman. “He’s in good spirits,” he said. But, Evans said, it’s tough to lose him because he’s playing great hockey with a lot of confidence.
“It could have been worse, just stuff you don’t expect to happen,” he said.
Tuesday marks the Canadiens’ first visit to Salt Lake City to play the new Utah Hockey Club.
Contributing: Brogan Houston