A small town in central Newfoundland was in shock on Thursday, as one of its most prominent youth lay in critical condition in a New Brunswick hospital.

Scottie Greene, an 18-year-old hockey player from Bishop's Falls, sustained life-threatening injuries in a motor vehicle accident on Wednesday evening. The crash took place in St. Stephen, N.B., where he is a defenceman for the local junior A team.

Greene has undergone surgery for his injuries, but remains unconscious.

"I don't think many people understand just how serious this accident really was," said Rob Canning, a family friend and former coach. "He pulled through the surgery, but it's just the first step down a long, long road."

The crash happened shortly before 5 p.m., when their car left the road, hit a pole and rolled. Impairment is not believed to be a factor.

A local hockey hero

Greene is the first Bishop's Falls born-and-raised player to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and has been the poster boy for the town since making his debut last season. After going unselected in the 2015 major junior draft, Greene attended training camp with the Sherbrooke Phoenix and made the team.

He wasted no time returning to his hometown rink during his Christmas break last season, said Bishop's Falls Minor Hockey Association president Derek Ford.

Messages of support are rolling in on Scottie Greene's Facebook page following a serious accident in New Brunswick on Wednesday. (Scottie Greene/Facebook)

"He wasn't home for three or four days until he was down at the arena with a few of his buddies, putting together a skills showcase for the kids and giving away prizes."

Greene was traded to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in January, but was cut from the team before the start of this season. He subsequently went to play for St. Stephen in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

Canning, who coached Greene during his first season of major midget with the Central Icepak, was blown away by the news on Thursday morning.

"It was like a kick in the stomach," he said. "I lost my breath and I haven't really been able to get it back yet."

Scottie Greene, of Bishop's Falls, N.L., remains in hospital following a car crash in St. Stephen, N.B. Two teammates were also in the vehicle, but were treated and released from hospital. (Jenn Barter-Coombs)

Canning said Greene was an exemplary player, taking on whatever role was needed of him.

"If I had a team of 20 Scottie Greenes, it would have been the easiest team I ever coached," he said. "He just wanted to do what was best for the group."

An outpouring of support

Despite all his success on the ice, the messages of support are rolling in for more than just an athlete, but also a brother, friend and role model.

"He's the most successful hockey player to come out of this area in a long, long time but that's not the reason he's so loved," Canning said. "It's because he's always been there. He's always been around... he is just a great young fella, and that's why there's been such an outpouring of support."

The Bishop's Falls Minor Hockey Association will be taking up a collection for the Greene family. Anyone looking to donate or offer messages of support can contact Derek Ford through the association's website.

"He's an absolute role model for all the kids here," Ford said. "Just a real inspiration."