You would think it would happen more often but this and the Malarchuk incident are all that I remember.

liquidflorian on February 11, 2008 at 3:38 PM

I’ve played/coached for over 20 years and never saw any cuts from skates. Sticks, wire fencing used before plexi glass but never skates. There was a young player here in Wisconsin a few years ago who died after taking a slapshot in the chest stopping his heart.

The kids (Pee Wee’s 9-12 yo) I coach now don’t have to wear neck guards.

Clint Malarchuk’s life was saved by his team’s athletic trainer, Jim Pezuletti, who had seen similar wounds while serving as a medic in Vietnam. He reached into Malarchuk’s neck to pinch off the bleeding until doctors began suturing the wound.

Awful as it seems in some cases, you’ll learn everything you need to know in the military.

Spc Steve on February 11, 2008 at 11:56 PM

You beat me to it.

When I was still on Active Duty, there was a range accident when a round was jammed in the barrel of an M60. It was in the hole, and the guy was told to not go near it, but he did anyway. The round cooked off and part of the casing went through his neck.

Luckily one of the range NCO’s had been a medic in Vietnam or the guy would be dead.

Awful as it seems in some cases, you’ll learn everything you need to know in the military.

That is great. I think it is now time for chainmail turtlenecks in the NHL.

cat-scratch on February 11, 2008 at 4:06 PM

College and kids leagues have rules mandating neck guards, they’re out there, but not worn in the NHL and I never saw anyone waring them in the beer leagues I’ve played it. People rarely get their legs up that high, Goalies are more likely to get cut like that and usually their chest gear has a built in neck guard.

I’m guessing that the medical staff of the NHL have a ready supply of Quik-clot on hand.

Mike D. on February 11, 2008 at 4:27 PM

Would that do any good on an artery?! I mean, you have to have just a matter of minutes to get some serous medical attention!

shooter on February 11, 2008 at 4:09 PM

Yeah. There was a day when stick fighting would cause the most damage.

My friend broke his neck slamming head first into the boards.

But this sort of thing is just freak.

Being a Red Wings fan, I used to have a T-shirt that said, Give Blood. Fight Probert.”

That is great. I think it is now time for chainmail turtlenecks in the NHL.

Oh BTW, GO SABRES!

I’m glad he is well. I’d hate to be his poor teammate who cut him, even if he couldn’t help it.

I saw almost the same thing happen to Rick McLeish one time at the Spectrum

Close call while in the fast lane. Best wishes to Zed.

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 11, 2008 at 3:35 PM

My favorite was a homeless Canadian guy holding a sign reading “Will cross-check Claude Lemieux from behind for food.”

Whatever the opposite is of an afternoon palate cleanser, this is it.

True dat.

I was half expecting to see someone read from the Koran followed by chants of “Huckahu Akbar”.

Official Content Warning!!