NHL official carried off the ice after getting clotheslined in the head.

I do wonder what this will mean for the future of National Hockey League official Bryan Pancich in these 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Unfortunately the playoffs got off to a terrible start for Pancich after he was injured in Game 1 of the opening round playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild. Pancich was injured during the game's second period when he was struck in the head by Golden Knights' forward Brett Howden.

The play occurred in the early minutes of the second period when a Wild clearing attempt bounced off high off the glass, causing Howden to instinctively reach out for the puck with his hand in an effort to keep it on-side. Unfortunately for Pancich, that puck's trajectory took it right above his head which resulted in Howden running him over with something that looked like a clothesline from professional wrestling.

The blow appeared to catch Pancich pretty good as well, as it folded the referee over and sent him crashing down to the ice. Much to his credit, Pancich seemed determined to try to get back to his feet, even using the boards to try and pull himself back up, but it was clear that there was something very wrong.

With Pancich unable to get back to his feet play was called to a stop and a member of the Golden Knights training staff would eventually come out onto the ice to offer assistance. Unfortunately Pancich was never able to rise up under his own power and had to be helped off the ice by both the trainer and a fellow official. Pancich looked distraught as he was helped off the ice and appeared unsteady on his skates, I can only hope that he hasn't suffered any serious injuries as a result of this unfortunate situation.

Here is a look at the full sequence:

And here is a close up look at the moment of impact: