VANCOUVER — In a 2-1 preseason loss to the Edmonton Oilers’ reserves, it was difficult to tell which Vancouver Canucks players took a step forward as the National Hockey League season looms. But it was obvious Thursday which unlucky one went backwards.

Centre Filip Chytil, a huge wild card for the team after playing only 12 games in the last 18 months due to serious head and neck injuries, was hurt in the first period of Thursday’s loss when he accidentally hooked skates with referee Riley Brace and crashed heavily into the boards behind the Oilers’ net.

Chytil’s head appeared to hit the ice upon falling, but Canucks coach Manny Malhotra told reporters post-game that it is the talented 27-year-old’s shoulder that will be reassessed on Friday.

The concussion the skilled centre suffered on a thunderous hit by Washington Capital Tom Wilson in the Canucks’ sixth game last October was the early turning point in Vancouver’s disastrous season.

The Czech returned for six games before last February’s Olympic break, but then was shut down for the season when hit in the face by teammate Brock Boeser’s deflected pass during a practice. And now, with his fourth injury in 18 months following his trade from the New York Rangers, Chytil has been hurt by the referee.

He is a snake bite away from joining luckless former Canuck Sami Salo, who suffered at least 40 injuries during his 15-season career but never got the credit he deserved for his toughness in always coming back until Salo’s famous “balls of steel” playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

“I don't even know what happened,” Canuck defenceman Luke Schenn said of Chytil’s latest injury. “I honestly haven't talked........

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