| | MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens right wing Trent
McCleary, who suffered a fractured larynx and collapsed lung
when struck in the throat by a slap shot Saturday, was upgraded
to stable condition Tuesday and moved out of intensive care.
McCleary now is able to breathe without the aid of a respirator,
one day after undergoing surgery to repair a complex laryngeal
fracture at Montreal General Hospital.
Only three days ago, McCleary, 27, was fighting for
his life and underwent an emergency tracheotomy, which involves
cutting a hole in the windpipe to create an airway for
breathing.
By Saturday night, however, his condition no longer was
considered life-threatening.
McCleary went down to block a blast by Flyers defenseman Chris
Therien in the second period of Saturday's 2-2 tie. He was
having trouble breathing and lost consciousness as he was being
helped to the locker room by teammates.
McCleary is in his second season with Montreal after one each
with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins. He has one goal in
12 games.
The native of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, signed as a free agent
with Ottawa in 1992 and reached the NHL in 1995-96, collecting
four goals and 10 assists in 75 games for the Senators. In
1996, he was traded to Boston with a draft pick for left wing
Shawn McEachern.
The 6-foot, 180-pound McCleary had three goals and five assists
for the Bruins in 1996-97.
Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars is the only NHL player to be fatally injured in a game. He died
two days after suffering a head injury during a Jan. 13, 1968
game against the Oakland Golden Seals.
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Habs' McCleary survives frightening throat injury
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