Emil Heineman out for weeks after being hit by car in Salt Lake City
- Emil Heineman was involved in a pedestrian accident in Salt Lake City while walking on Monday.
- Initial police responses on the scene were inconclusive, with officers unable to identify Heineman immediately.
- Heineman's absence for three to four weeks raises concerns for the Canadiens in his first full NHL season.
In the United States, Montreal Canadiens player Emil Heineman was involved in a pedestrian accident while walking in downtown Salt Lake City. The incident occurred on Monday, just a day before the team's game against the Utah Hockey Club. Local police responded to a 911 call around 3 p.m. on the day of the accident but were initially unable to find the pedestrian or the witness who reported the incident. Later, information was obtained from nearby businesses that may help in the ongoing investigation led by the Utah Highway Patrol. Following the accident, Heineman, a 23-year-old Swedish forward, was found by police and did not appear to have serious injuries. He was being attended to by team doctors at the time. However, the team officially announced on Tuesday that he would be sidelined for three to four weeks due to an upper-body injury caused by the accident. This incident has drawn attention as Heineman is in his first full NHL season, having accumulated 17 points in 41 games. The young athlete was drafted in the second round by the Florida Panthers in 2020 before being traded to the Calgary Flames in 2021 and finally to the Montreal Canadiens in 2022. As a notable player for the Canadiens, fans and the team are concerned about his health and the impact his absence will have on the team's performance in the upcoming games.