Kitchener Rangers player out of hospital

Injured OHL hockey player Ben Fanelli was released from hospital late on Friday night.

Fanelli’s club, the Kitchener Rangers, announced the development on their website on Saturday.

“This is obviously an emotional day for the Fanelli family, our organization and community and really for the entire Ontario Hockey League’s players and fans,” Rangers chief operating officer Steve Bienkowski said in the statement. “It is still very early in Ben’s recovery that will include out-patient treatments at the hospital along with additional supporting treatments at home.”

Susan Fanelli, the injured 16-year-old hockey player’s mother, said in the statement that “the support from the Kitchener Rangers organization has been wonderful. We are so appreciative it is hard to express.”

Fanelli fractured his skull and orbital bone when he was hit into the boards behind his team’s net by Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters on Tuesday.

Liambas was suspended on Wednesday for the balance of the 2009-10 season including the playoffs.