Scary scenes emerge from the QMJHL as 17-year old collapses and convulses with critical head injury

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Finnegan Frost
November 4, 2024 (5:35)

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On November 2nd, jaw dropping scenes emerged from a QMJHL junior game against Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Gatineau Olympiques.

17 year old defenceman Justin Blais unfortunately collapsed on the ice, causing his head to hit the ice extremely hard. As a result of the head trauma, Blais started to convulse uncontrollably on the ice, forcing the emergency medical intervention. Blais was then stretchered off the ice and taken in to hospital via ambulance for further evaluation. Due to the incident, the game was cancelled and rescheduled.

Please note the following has been translated from French to English:

"Very worrying scene in Baie-Comeau, Justin Blais of the Olympiques hits the ice with his head while falling during a scuffle. He goes into convulsions and must be taken off the ice on a stretcher. Fortunately, he was conscious upon his exit.

Following the situation, the team that Justin Blais plays for, the Olympiques de Gatineau released a medical update, stating that Blais was awake and conscious while traveling to a nearby hospital for observation and evaluation.

𝑴𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑪𝑨𝑳 𝑼𝑷𝑫𝑨𝑻𝑬 | Justin Blais has been taken as a precaution to a local hospital for further tests. He is alert and responsive.

The 17-year, 6-foot defenseman Blais started his second season in the QMJHL, and has already contributed two assists in 12 games this season. The youngster will have the opportunity to be selected in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Although it's never good to see a player go down that hard, reports indicate that Blais was conscious before leaving the ice. Unfortunately, the game of hockey is extremely physical, and the nature of contact sports often sees tragic incidents like this. Blais was diagnosed with a concussion - further medical updates to follow.

Oilers Insider is wishing Blais a smooth recovery and a swift return to the ice.