Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in January 2022.
In a devastating incident on the Connecticut ice, a young hockey player lost his life following a collision during a school game, leaving the St. Luke’s School community in mourning.
Outside the school premises in New Canaan, a palpable sense of grief enveloped students and parents as they grappled with the loss of 10th grader Teddy Balkind. Calvin, an 18-year-old student, expressed the profound sadness, describing it as an overwhelming display of sympathy.
According to reports from Kiran Dhillon at Fox News, Teddy’s tragic demise unfolded during a junior varsity hockey clash between St. Luke’s and Brunswick School. The private school matchup took place at Brunswick’s rink in Greenwich, where Teddy fell to the ice, colliding with another player who couldn’t halt their momentum.
A statement from Brunswick revealed the heartbreaking details, citing that Teddy’s neck was accidentally cut by a skate in the midst of the game. Teddy’s father, on the scene, witnessed the tragic incident as the school’s medical team rushed to provide immediate assistance.
Following the collision, local authorities swiftly intervened, stopping the game, and Teddy was promptly transported to Greenwich Hospital. Tragically, despite the best efforts, the teenager was pronounced dead at the hospital, leaving the community in shock.
St. Luke’s School issued a statement expressing the loss of a precious young man in a tragic accident, emphasizing their commitment to caring for the devastated community during this challenging time. Meanwhile, Brunswick School acknowledged the profound difficulty in comprehending such tragedies and pledged support for their community and St. Luke’s.
Reflecting on the incident, Ted Curtin, a former youth hockey coach, provided insights into the rarity of severe incidents like this. While acknowledging that lacerations can occur, Curtin highlighted that severe cases are exceptionally rare. He mentioned that although USA Hockey recommends neck guards for players, they are only mandatory for goalies.
Curtin, discussing the effectiveness of neck guards, pointed out their limitations, citing that they don’t eliminate the risk of lacerations entirely. The former coach explained that the guards, besides being cumbersome, might not prevent a penetrating injury if the skate were to hit the neck guard and move to another vulnerable area.
As the Tri-State Area hockey community grapples with the tragedy, Curtin, along with others, expressed condolences and prayers for Teddy’s parents and sister. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks in the fast-paced game and the need for continued safety measures.