The Montreal Canadiens organization was shaken up on Friday by the report that a young player, just 11 years old, has died after he was accidentally hit by a puck during his team’s practice on Tuesday. Authorities were called to the Complexe Walter-Buswell in Saint-Eustache, a suburb northwest of Montreal, around 7 p.m. Tuesday and ambulances rushed to the scene. The boy was later transferred to an intensive care unit at a Montreal hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Multiple media have reported that the boy was hit in the neck, though it has not been confirmed by officials at the moment.
On Friday evening, the Canadiens shared an emotional statement about the tragic death of the child. The statement was made in both French and English.
It reads:
“The entire Montreal Canadiens organization was saddened to learn of the tragic passing of a young hockey player following an on-ice incident earlier this week in Saint-Eustache. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
Following an investigation, police described the boy’s injury as “an unfortunate accident”. Investigators also found he was wearing all the required protective equipment. Neck guards are part of a player’s regular protective equipment.
I can’t imagine what his family is going through.
This tragic incident takes place just weeks after the tragic death of Adam Johnson, an American hockey player, died after his neck was cut by a skate blade in October. The former NHL forward was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers when he was injured mid-match. The arena was emptied as ambulances responded to the scene and Johnson was rushed to the local hospital. He was later pronounced dead, at just 29 years old.
