Colorado Avalanche's Tucker released from hospital, out indefinitely

Emergency workers lift a stretcher with Colorado Avalanche right winger Darcy Tucker off the ice after he was injured by a hit by Carolina Hurricanes right winger Tuomo Ruutu, of Finland, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/David Zalubowski)

DENVER - Colorado Avalanche forward Darcy Tucker has been released from the hospital Saturday, a day after suffering a concussion when he was checked into the boards by Carolina forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Tucker, second on the team with four goals this season, will be out indefinitely, a team spokesman said.

Ruutu hit Tucker from behind as the right wing tried to play the puck in the Hurricanes' end with 14:34 left in the second period.

Tucker's face hit the glass and he fell to the ice on his back unconscious.

Team doctors and trainers put a neck brace on Tucker, who lay motionless for several minutes, and strapped him to a backboard before moving him off the ice and taking him to the hospital.

Ruutu was suspended three games by the NHL on Saturday.