"Former Saint John Sea Dog centre Chris DiDomenico is expected to be released from hospital today, three days after suffering a devastating leg injury.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs forward crashed into the boards in Game 3 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League President's Cup final against the Shawinigan Cataractes Tuesday.

The 19-year-old's parents, John and Debbie, drove seven hours from Woodbridge, Ont., Thursday to join their son at the hospital in Trois-Rivieres, where he was treated for a broken left femur and kneecap. Debbie DiDomenico said Thursday evening that her son had an operation to insert a pin and four screws into his leg, and that his dosage of pain medication was being gradually reduced.

The DiDomenicos had several friends and family members over to watch the webcast of Tuesday's game.

"I was just dumbstruck, I said, 'No, this is not happening,'" Debbie said of her reaction to the injury. "I couldn't sleep. I haven't really slept in two days, but now that I've seen him I'm OK."

Debbie DiDomenico said the Toronto Maple Leafs, who signed Chris to a three-year NHL contract earlier this season, have been "deeply involved" in dealing with his injury. She said the NHL team was happy with the surgery and that her son will likely go through his rehabilitation, which could last several months, with Maple Leafs staff."

Szerencsére tehát nincs akkora gáz...