Preds' rookie Jones take puck to the mug

Beginning this season, the National Hockey League mandates that all rookies coming into the league this season must wear protective visors, and while that didn't stop Nashville Predators' rookie defenseman Seth Jones from taking a puck to his face.

Scary moment. Seth Jones hit in the face with a puck, skates off on his own. #MTLvsNSH
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 22, 2013

In the waning seconds of a first period match between the Predators and the Montreal Canadiens, Habs' blue liner Sergei Markov fired a rocket at the Predators' net, the puck deflected by Montreal right winger Brendan Gallagher right up into Jones' face.

Jones spun in the crease and fell to the ice in pain, but got up leaking and was escorted to the bench by teammates, then taken immediately to the room to get stitched up.

The 19-year-old rookie did not return to the game and his status going forward will have to be assumed day-to-day.

It appeared on replays that the mandated visor took the brunt of the impact, likely saving Jones from a more serious injury.

 http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2013/12/preds-rookie-jones-take-puck-to-mug.html