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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.

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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

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Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com

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.