NHL prospect's dream put on hold after breaking his hand fighting

Aggression is a valuable asset in ice hockey, but an up-and-coming NHL prospect may live to rue his aggressive streak after breaking his hand during a fight in an exhibition game.

Jayce Hawryluk, the 32^nd pick in the 2014 NHL entry draft, was thought to be a strong chance of turning out for the Florida Panthers at the start of the upcoming season after two years playing in ice hockey’s lower levels.

Well, that dream has been put on ice for the Canadian after he was injured while fighting with a Washington Capitals rival during the 2016 Florida rookie tournament.

During the second quarter of the Panthers exhibition clash, Hawryluk checked Jakub Vrana with the Washington player taking exception to the play and the pair going one-on-one in a brutal punch-up.

Footage shows Hawryluk knock his rival’s helmet off with one punch before landing a second right-hand on Vrana’s head before the pair fall to the ice.

As the referees split the pair up, Hawryluk was seen clutching his right hand.

He was taken from the ice and not seen again during the match that the Panthers won 5-2.