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Ryan Sproul (No. 7) a first-year defenseman with the Grand Rapids Griffins, is roommates with Mitch Callahan. It was his slap shot that hit Callahan in the mouth.

(Mlive file photo)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Ryan Sproul unloaded a slap shot from above the right circle Wednesday, there was little inkling that the routine play would temporarily grab a national spotlight

But that's what happened after the puck mangled Mitch Callahan's face and the third-year Detroit Red Wings prospect posted a bloody in-game selfie to Twitter. The picture spread quickly on social media, and sports websites and radio buzzed about the injury on Thursday.

Callahan was escorted off the ice with a towel wrapped around his face, and once in the locker room, he posted the picture that can be seen in the link below (caution, it is graphic):

The on-ice image of Callahan bent over just outside the goalmouth for a few seconds before blood began to spill onto the ice and play halted was disturbing to Sproul, who lives with Callahan.

“I pretty much almost broke down right there,” Sproul said after practice Thursday. “I was scared for him, and went right over to make sure he was all right because, like I said, he’s one of my best friends.”

Callahan, the Griffins’ third-year forward, had surgery Thursday to repair his fractured jaw. He lost up to 10 teeth, some of which Sproul picked up off the ice, as well.

“I picked up four, but I think there was probably more out there,” he said. “I know he lost nine or 10 … It was definitely tough. I could barely pick them up my hands were shaking so much and in shock of what happened."

Ryan Sproul

Sproul said Callahan understands that his injury is part of the game and that both are moving on from the first period incident in the Griffins 6-1 win over Iowa.

"It's just something that can happen in hockey," Sproul said. "He knew that. I know that.

“I think last night after it happened it was tough to throw the puck on net,” he said Thursday. “Hopefully, I get over it real soon...I'm not too worried about it right now.”

On the lighter side, before he headed over to the hospital after the game, Sproul said Callahan contacted him to request his phone charger. He knew the growing popularity of the photo.

“Oh, for sure he did,” Sproul said. “He actually told me to bring his charger over because his phone was blowing up.”

Sproul said he and fellow roommate, Trevor Parkes, are planning how to help prepare meals for Callahan once he is released from the hospital.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.