I know I'm just a football hack who should mind his own business, but when it comes to hockey, things get a little personal.
I love the sport, grew up playing it, and still follow the NHL. So it was with much concern that I read about Panthers forward Richard Zednik nearly getting killed after having the carotid artery in his neck accidentally severed by a teammate's skate in a game against the Sabres in Buffalo.
Hockey players are among the most macho in the professional and amateur sports world, but after seeing this, and thinking back to the gruesome injury that nearly took the life of Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk in 1989 (also in Buffalo), the league needs to mandate protection for players' necks. (Warning: the Malarchuk video is gruesome.)
The NHL also needs to make players wear full face shields - something players have been reluctant to wear, even though they risk severe injury to their eyes and facial area. Fellas, I cover a sport where players wear helmets and face masks. Trust me. It's ok.
The Zednik and Malarchuk injuries also bring back a disturbing personal memory of my hockey playing days. I was in a men's league in Rockland County, and was playing a game at Sport-O-Rama in Suffern. A teammate, Danny Higgins, had his throat accidentally sliced open by someone's skate. It was a grotesque sight.
"Higgy" was a big dude - probably 6-3 - and was one of those teammates who was rock solid and reliable, and tough as nails. But as he lay on the ice and looked up at me, he kept saying, "Hey, man, am I ok?" I just told him over and over, "You are fine, buddy. You are fine."
"Higgy" survived, thank goodness, although he's still got a massive scar where he had to get stitched up.
The day after his injury, I went out and bought a neck guard and never went onto the ice without it.
I wish NHL players would do the same. Before someone gets killed.
Comments (3)
AMen.
There's a macho factor involved as well. My 16 year old step-son is a very good hockey player. He refuses to wear his neck Guard unless it's mandated by league rules.
The problem with Zedniks incident is that Joikenen's skate caught him on the right side of the neck, a neck guard wouldn't have been of much help in this incident. Richard was smart enough though to quickly realize he was in trouble and skated 3/4 of the ice to get to the trainer on the bench. The game continued on, although most of the players interviewed afterwards wished it hadn't.
Don't view this video if the sight of blood makes you queasy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiLvLxebfk0
B N G:
I think a neck guard would have helped here, if only to deflect the skate away from the area. If you look where they're holding the towel on his neck, it's in the area where a guard would cover.
Tell your kid to listen to your football writing buddy. Wear the neck guard.
The problem with hockey is that the players will always look to be the "tough guy." After all, it took forever to make 'em wear helmets. Once Teddy Green got his skull smashed in, they finally came to their senses.
I play dek hockey with a ball. I cant imagine not wearing a face mask. I've been hit in the face with that ball probably 20 times in 18 years or so, but theres been one or two that would have hurt me real bad. I cant believe these guys dont wear facemasks.
Also, this would eliminate the sticks to the face and Todd Bertuzzi like cheap shots.
They can make a rule that if you fight you have to drop your helmet, so fighting fans would still be happy.