KINDERSLEY, Sask. – Following a collision with a Swiss defenceman in the first period of Sunday afternoon’s game at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, Canada East forward Neil Doef was transported by ambulance to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Sask.

Neil underwent surgery on Sunday night, and is resting comfortably with his parents, who arrived Monday morning from Ontario, at his side. He will continue to undergo tests, and is receiving tremendous care from the staff in Saskatoon.

Hockey Canada would like to thank Dr. Dan Johnson and the local EMS for their quick response, and the World Junior A Challenge host committee in Kindersley, Canadian Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League and Smiths Falls Bears for their support.

The focus is on Neil and his family, and Hockey Canada will not have further comment until more information becomes available. Hockey Canada asks that you respect the Doef family’s right to privacy and not contact them at this time.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Jason La Rose, Hockey Canada’s manager of content services, is on site in Kindersley and is the media contact for the 2014 World Junior A Challenge. He can be reached at [email protected].