To play hockey, you have to have a little bit of a crazy streak. There are a lot of different ways a player can get hurt, but there’s really only two instances on the ice when a player willingly takes on the risk of serious injury. The first is a fight, the second is blocking a shot.

University of Minnesota forward Vinni Lettieri made the latter choice to step in front of a blistering slapshot. Unfortunately for Lettieri, Notre Dame defenseman and New York Islanders prospect Robbie Russo’s shot drilled him right in the side of the head.

In college hockey the players wear full facial protection, thankfully. But a heavy shot from an NHL prospect still could do a lot of damage even to a helmeted head. Lettieri immediately fell to the ice and stayed there, perhaps stunned as much as he was hurt.

Lettieri received some medical attention from an athletic trainer before eventually being helped to the bench by a pair of teammates while a bit wobbly legged.

Lettieri, who is an undrafted prospect and the grandson of Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne, was held out of the rest of the game as a precaution unsurprisingly. The 19-year-old is in his second season with the No. 1-ranked Golden Gophers.

Hockey players are expected to make that play and give themselves up to block the shot, but it’s always scary to see something like this.

Wink of the CBS Eye to @cjzero for the video.