Awful and fatal Hockey accident in UK Elite League

beano.79

https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/ice-hockey-player-adam-johnson-dies-in-freak-accident-after-neck-slashed-by-skate-in-sheffield-12995563

Wobbie

Terrible. Those skates are razor sharp. The same thing happened in a VGK/Winnipeg playoff game last year. Dude took 75 stitches and returned to the game.

F Me In The Brain

Yeah, read about about this.  Blade accidents....wow that shit is awful.
So young.

Gern Blansten

Such a freak accident but I'm not clear why the pros don't wear a neck guard. My son had to wear one in youth league.

beano.79

Gern Blansten said:

Such a freak accident but I'm not clear why the pros don't wear a neck guard. My son had to wear one in youth league.

I agree.. it's obviously an extremely rare incident, but if it can be prevented or any potential injury lessened I can't see why they wouldn't have protection, I doubt it would make them any more uncomfortable than they already are. It could have saved his life and 1 life is worth it. Sad

OnWis97

I don't think it was an accident at all. I've never seen anyone lift a skate up to someone's head like that. 

mfc2006

OnWis97 said:

I don't think it was an accident at all. I've never seen anyone lift a skate up to someone's head like that. 

Neither have I. What the hell??

Indifference71

mfc2006 said:

OnWis97 said:

I don't think it was an accident at all. I've never seen anyone lift a skate up to someone's head like that. 

Neither have I. What the hell??

Uhhh yeah.  I was trying to avoid that video but it popped up on twitter and holy shit.  Obviously he's not trying to cut the guys throat but he threw that leg up high on him on purpose.  Just awful.

beano.79

I have avoided the video so far, I felt I didn't need to see it, but I assumed he was on the floor when it happened... But sounds like he wasn't?

PJ_Soul

beano.79 said:

I have avoided the video so far, I felt I didn't need to see it, but I assumed he was on the floor when it happened... But sounds like he wasn't?

Nope. Basically, from what I can tell, the player was tripped by someone else's stick, he kinda flew up in the air, and his leg went way up and sliced the guy's neck. It kinda looked like a roundhouse kick, basically. Some think he deliberately kicked that leg up (which would mean he deliberately tried to kick high against a player with a razor on his foot... which would be manslaughter probably, if not murder. Others think that his leg went up because of the other player's stick, and that it wasn't purposeful. It does look weird, but with momentum, I suppose it's conceivable that the movement wasn't deliberate at all.

mace1229

Just saw this. How very sad.
I don't see charges coming though. I would think you'd have to prove intent on slashing with a skate, not just negligence. I would think there's higher risk involved in sports and even though it looked weird, I'm sure players have intentionally fallen down before to try and draw a penalty just like every other sport. 

F Me In The Brain

Could neck protection become standard?
Minor league affiliates are already making some steps to change and at least one NHL team is looking into it, with multiple players trying them out during practice.  (Penguins)

beano.79

F Me In The Brain said:

Could neck protection become standard?
Minor league affiliates are already making some steps to change and at least one NHL team is looking into it, with multiple players trying them out during practice.  (Penguins)

The team he played for have already made them mandatory for their whole team

Hawkshore

F Me In The Brain said:

Could neck protection become standard?
Minor league affiliates are already making some steps to change and at least one NHL team is looking into it, with multiple players trying them out during practice.  (Penguins)

Oshie wore a neck guard in lasts nights game against the Isles first NHL player as far as I know to wear one. At the NHL level equipment changes need to be signed off by the NHLPA, likely it will be like helmets where it will be grandfathered in, optional for existing players mandatory for new players. Different in other leagues, the WHL here for instance where Connor Bedard played his junior hockey announced yesterday that games effective today will require all players to wear neck guards.

I have two boys 12 and 14 who have played rep hockey from a young age and they will not let the kids on the ice without a neck guard, most kids will bring an extra one in their hockey bag as inevitably a teammate will lose one or leave it at home. 

mace1229

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

F Me In The Brain

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

There was an awful picture from that one that I believe was in an issue of SI.  Remember it being ghastly.

pjhawks

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

Remember seeing it on Sportscenter.  If I recall correctly one of the reasons he survived because he was on the side of the ice where the ambulance and medical personnel were. If he had been on the other end probably would have died.  Espn did a story on this a few years ago where Malarchuk basically had PTSD from it and has had a really hard time in life since then.  

Agree some kind of neck guard makes sense.  Guy on Buffalo wore one the other night against the Flyers.  Imagine more guys will wear them moving forward.

lastexitlondon

As stated above this looks like it may not be accidental as such. 
I man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. I've not watched the video or played hockey but people above in this  thread have said it looked odd. 
The plot thickens 

beano.79

lastexitlondon said:

As stated above this looks like it may not be accidental as such. 
I man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. I've not watched the video or played hockey but people above in this  thread have said it looked odd. 
The plot thickens 

Wow.

Like you I haven't seen it, but I've heard from most that the guys leg should never have been that high and that he seemed to kick his leg up towards him

nicknyr15

“A man” has been arrested? That’s some great reporting. Which “man” was arrested? Why is it worded like this? 

lastexitlondon

They didn't say his name. 

MayDay10

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

Yes, both happened in Buffalo.  
True story with Malarchuk.  His entire story is pretty wild.  Became cripplingly OCD post-accident.  Tried committing suicide a few times, shot himself in the head.  But then found purpose in reaching out and helping others fighting similar issues and it has given him a reason to continue.

In the OHL, I saw a goalie lose his glove in a scramble and someone stepped on his wrist.  Blood was spurting out of his wrist against his glass to the beat of his heart.  Was pretty nuts.  


As far as an arrest in this case?  Im not sure what the manslaughter law(s) are there and how they would fit in with this incident.  I have heard people say/wonder if it was intentional looking at the slow-mo replay.  I saw it, and I have to doubt it was intentional.  Of course in super slow it looks worse.  In real time there is no way the player could calculate and move his skate in the 'correct' (killing) position.  It was just a super unfortunate freak accident.

PJ_Soul

Manslaughter wouldn't suggest that the guy intentionally slashed his neck. It would likely basically mean he's guilty of not taking proper care with his deliberate/intentional movements without intention to kill, considering the fact that he has a razor on his foot and people within kicking distance. It's like driving drunk. You don't set out to kill someone, but if you do, you're still responsible for your decision-making that lead to the death. So not really an accident. Bad choices. That said, I think the player's defense would have a good chance of winning the case and him being found not guilty of manslaughter. It's too hard to tell how intentional the movement was versus how much momentum had to do with it.

beano.79

MayDay10 said:

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

Yes, both happened in Buffalo.  
True story with Malarchuk.  His entire story is pretty wild.  Became cripplingly OCD post-accident.  Tried committing suicide a few times, shot himself in the head.  But then found purpose in reaching out and helping others fighting similar issues and it has given him a reason to continue.

In the OHL, I saw a goalie lose his glove in a scramble and someone stepped on his wrist.  Blood was spurting out of his wrist against his glass to the beat of his heart.  Was pretty nuts.  


As far as an arrest in this case?  Im not sure what the manslaughter law(s) are there and how they would fit in with this incident.  I have heard people say/wonder if it was intentional looking at the slow-mo replay.  I saw it, and I have to doubt it was intentional.  Of course in super slow it looks worse.  In real time there is no way the player could calculate and move his skate in the 'correct' (killing) position.  It was just a super unfortunate freak accident.

So manslaughter here is basically somebody causing the death of someone without having the intention to do so. And example would be pushing somebody to the ground, they bang their head a die of head injuries. You caused their death. The sentence is more lenient than murder ofcourse but can still carry 10 years I think.

PureandEasy

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

I remember when it happened to the goaltender, trainer saved his life.  Hit the jugular and you will bleed out with every beat of your heart.  So sad to hear this happened again with fatal consequences.  

1ThoughtKnown

PureandEasy said:

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

I remember when it happened to the goaltender, trainer saved his life.  Hit the jugular and you will bleed out with every beat of your heart.  So sad to hear this happened again with fatal consequences.  

I’ll never forget those replays. Clint’s book is a real page turner, a must read for any hockey fan in my opinion. More information here:
https://malarchuk.com/book

As for the incident in England, it sure looks like Petgave intentionally stuck his leg out as the deceased had a clear lane to the slot for a grade A chance. It is doubtful he meant to let his leg to fly up that high, but it  was very reckless. Having played hockey competitively or recreationally most of my life, I find it hard to believe that this “just happened”. It was at minimum an intended act to trip up the attacking player. 

PureandEasy

1ThoughtKnown said:

PureandEasy said:

mace1229 said:

I was curious if it ever happened before and read this: "In 1989, Buffalo goaltender Clint Malarchuk's neck was sliced open by a skate during a game and in 2008 it happened to Florida forward Richard Zednik. Both got immediate help from trainers and medical personnel and both returned to the game they loved."

So it's happened 3 times in over 30 years. Still very rare, but not one of those "will probably never happen again" scenarios. Maybe a neck guard is needed.

I remember when it happened to the goaltender, trainer saved his life.  Hit the jugular and you will bleed out with every beat of your heart.  So sad to hear this happened again with fatal consequences.  

I’ll never forget those replays. Clint’s book is a real page turner, a must read for any hockey fan in my opinion. More information here:
https://malarchuk.com/book

As for the incident in England, it sure looks like Petgave intentionally stuck his leg out as the deceased had a clear lane to the slot for a grade A chance. It is doubtful he meant to let his leg to fly up that high, but it  was very reckless. Having played hockey competitively or recreationally most of my life, I find it hard to believe that this “just happened”. It was at minimum an intended act to trip up the attacking player. 

thanks for the info; I remember the replays too; shudder