MOSCOW - A promising 16-year-old Russian hockey player has been left in a coma after he was hit in the neck by a puck during a game.

Alexander Orekhov, captain of the youth team of Russian club Metallurg Novokuznetsk, was struck during the second period of a game Thursday against rival Sibir Novosibirsk in an international youth league covering parts of Russia and neighbouring Kazakhstan.

After receiving first aid, Orekhov was transferred to a hospital as the game continued. Metallurg has launched an appeal for fans to donate funds for his treatment.