Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev, taken off the ice on stretcher after a collision during Saturday's game, has been released from the hospital, the team said on Sunday, Nov. 2.

He was playing his first game since recovering from a concussion. He was checked in the third period by the Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov, who received a two-minute minor for interference.

Tanev was face down on the ice and medical personnel called for a stretcher. He gave a thumbs up as he was wheeled off the ice.

"It's a tough feeling obviously," Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews told reporters after the game. "He's such an integral part of the team and brings so much experience and anytime they're bringing out a stretcher, it's never a good feeling deep inside, so we're all obviously thinking about him and praying for him and hoping for the best."

Chris Tanev injury update

The Maple Leafs put out the following statement on Sunday morning:

"The Maple Leafs announced today that defenseman Chris Tanev was evaluated overnight in Philadelphia for precautionary purposes, has been discharged this morning and will return home to Toronto."

Tanev had missed four games with his previous injury, which occurred during a collision against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 21.

He told reporters on Friday that the injury was a concussion and that he has had concussions before.

"When you're stunned and sort of confused, it's not ideal," he said. "I felt really quite normal soon after (the latest), which was nice. You go through the protocols and the steps and whatever's necessary to get back to play."

Tanev had an assist on Jake McCabe's goal before he was injured. The Maple Leafs won 5-2.

Tanev was the second NHL defenseman to leave the game on Saturday after a scary incident.

The San Jose Sharks' Timothy Liljegren was hit by a deflected puck while sitting on the bench and needed assistance getting to the dressing room.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toronto Maple Leafs' Chris Tanev leaves game on stretcher, is out of hospital

Reporting by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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