The Dallas Stars announced on Friday that defenceman Roman Polak suffered a small fracture of his sternum in Thursday night's 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins and will be evaluated in a week. 

Polak had to be helped off the ice on a stretcher in the second period after falling awkwardly into the end boards while trying to deliver a hit to Bruins forward Chris Wagner.

Polak appeared to lose his balance and went head and shoulder-first into the boards.

Stars head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters after the game that Polak "has use of his extremities and is feeling better in hospital."

Polak, 33, signed a one-year contract with the Stars last June and has appeared in 766 NHL games with the Stars, St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs.