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 Wednesday, February 2
McCleary now breathing without respirator
 
SportsTicker

 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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