Toronto Maple Leafs quarterback Ronni Hirvonen suffered a concussion in a fight at team development camp on Saturday. After receiving a resounding blow from Nolan Dillingham.
Hirvonen cut the middle with his head down and Dillingham leveled it with a thunderclap. The 21-year-old was left on the ice for a few minutes before being taken to the locker room with the help of coaches.
Maple Leafs AGM Hayley Wickenheiser confirmed that Hirvonen suffered a concussion while in the media on Saturday afternoon. Hirvonen is later seen walking around the Ford Performance Center.
It was a free kick. It has happened to everyone. You never want to see him in a game scenario like this. We all held our breath for a while, but the fact that he was able to get up and out of the ice was a good thing. Signboard. I think he will be fine. “.
Hirvonen received excellent reviews from Wickenheiser and Maple Leafs staff throughout camp. A 2020 second-round pick, Hirvonen is among the most prepared prospects in the organization.
“He will need time to recover,” Wickenheiser said of Hirvonen. He’s a very tough human being and it was a very big blow. »
Hirvonen is expected to start next season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, but it will be worth watching his progress throughout the summer as he recovers from a concussion.
Espoo, a native of Finland, spent last season with HIIFK of the Finnish La Liga, recording 28 points in 57 games. Hirvonen signed a three-year rookie contract with the Leafs in May 2022.
Dillingham, 21, was invited to the undesigned camp. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound defenseman is spending the 2022-23 campaign as captain of the OHL Sarnia Sting, recording 14 points in 45 games.
