New Canaan Boy Dies After Sustaining Injury in Hockey Game

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, last night's news on some TV network

From the description, I suspect that his carotid artery was sliced open when the opposing player's skate struck his neck.

Officials: New Canaan Boy Dies After Sustaining Injury in Hockey Game

By Michael Dinan | 19 hours ago

Confirming reports out of Greenwich, New Canaan Police and district officials on Friday mourned the loss of a New Canaan boy who died after suffering an injury in a hockey game.

Teddy Balkind, who had attended New Canaan Public Schools prior to enrolling at St. Luke’s School, where he was a sophomore, had been injured during an away hockey game at Brunswick School in Greenwich, officials said.

“Teddy skated for the New Canaan Winter Club throughout his youth hockey career and was known to all as an all around incredible young man, son and brother,” New Canaan Police said in a Facebook post. “The men and women of the New Canaan Police Department offer our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Balkind family and all of those impacted by this tragic incident.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi said in an email to the school community that many New Canaan students had been friends with the deceased and his family. ... “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with the entire St. Luke’s community,” Luizzi said in the email. “May you find strength and peace during this challenging time.”

According to a report on the Greenwich Free Press, around 5 p.m. Thursday, a player from St. Luke’s fell on the ice and another player collided with him, resulting in the injury. Game play was stopped and 911 was called, and the injured player was transported to Greenwich Hospital, the Greenwich Free Press said. There, he succumbed to his injuries, according to the Greenwich Free Press report.

{snip}

[NewCanaanite.com will have more information as it becomes available.]

[bottomofthehill]

1. I don't think his throat was slices by skate blade as mentioned above

More likely a blow to head or chest.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. His carotid artery was sliced open. He bled out too quickly to be saved.

Last edited Sun Jan 9, 2022, 07:55 AM - Edit history (1)

SPORTS

Connecticut 10th-grade hockey player dies after collision

By: Associated Press
Posted at 5:12 PM, Jan 08, 2022 and last updated 7:15 PM, Jan 08, 2022

GREENWICH, CONN — A Connecticut 10th-grade hockey player has died after falling to the ice and being cut on the neck by the skate of another player during a game.

Police say the accident happened Thursday as the Brunswick school, a college preparatory school for boys in Greenwich, played St. Luke’s School, a private co-educational school from New Canaan. St. Luke’s identified the player as Teddy Balkind.

Police and school officials say Balkind fell to the ice and the other player was unable to stop, resulting in a collision.

The prep school player was rushed to Greenwich Hospital, where he died.

{snip}

[bottomofthehill]

3. Wow, I did not see that in the original article.

What a terrible story. I would have guessed blow to head or chest. Skate cut, so sorry for the family who lost their child and the player who was involved in the accident.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Some articles include that detail, and others just say it was "an injury." NT

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. Tragic death of Connecticut HS hockey player calls new attention to the importance of neck guards

Now on http://Courant.com

Link to tweet

Tragic death of Connecticut high school hockey player calls new attention to the importance of neck...
The death of St. Luke's 10th-grader Teddy Balkind during a Connecticut prep school hockey game has called attention to the differing rules surrounding the

SPORTS

Tragic death of Connecticut high school hockey player calls new attention to the importance of neck guards

By DOM AMORE
HARTFORD COURANT | JAN 11, 2022 AT 5:59 PM

The E.O. Smith-Tolland hockey team gathered to talk about the tragic event in their sport last week, the event that hit so close to home. ... The room fell silent. Then came the most important message the young players could receive following the death of Connecticut high school hockey player Teddy Balkind on Jan. 6.

“When we have talked about it, it’s an opportunity to remind kids,” E.O. Smith-Tolland coach John Hodgson said. “Here is something you think is extra that you don’t need, it’s very rare that something like this happens, but when it does happen, it could be fatal. We had a moment of silence, and then, ‘so lets make sure we have all our gear on.’ ”

Balkind, 16, was playing in a junior varsity game for St. Luke’s, a New Canaan-based prep school, last Thursday at Brunswick School in Greenwich when he fell to the ice. Another player who was near him was unable to stop and collided with him. Game play was stopped and 911 was called. The 10th-grader was transported to Greenwich Hospital where he died as a result from the injury.

St. Luke’s hockey player dies after collision during high school game in Greenwich »

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Balkind died of an incised wound of the neck and ruled the death an accident, according to multiple media reports. ... Balkind’s death has brought forth waves of sympathy and support from the global hockey community but has also brought calls for change. In the case of the E.O. Smith-Tolland team and other CIAC schools, rules aimed at preventing such a tragedy have been in place since 2001. ... “Commercially manufactured throat guards designed specifically for ice hockey are required for all players, including goaltenders during regular season and tournament play,” the CIAC rules state.

{snip}

We join the hockey community in mourning the tragic loss of our teammate Teddy Balkind. Our hearts are with Teddy’s family and friends. #SticksOutForTeddy

Link to tweet

{snip}

Dom Amore can be reached at [e-mail]

Dom Amore
Hartford Courant
CONTACT
https://twitter.com/AmoreCourant

Dom joined the Courant in '88 and writes a weekly column while also covering the UConn men. The NSMA has named him Conn. Sportswriter of the Year 5 times. A lifelong state resident, he is an adjunct professor at SCSU and starting in '19, at Iona. His book, “A Franchise on the Rise: The first 20 years of the New York Yankees” hit shelves in '18.