'Life is precious': Hockey world mourns death of high school player
The hockey world has been left reeling in the wake of the death of a Connecticut high schooler who died while playing in a junior varsity game Thursday night.
Teddy Balkind, a 10th-grader at St. Luke's School, fell to the ice during the contest against Brunswick School. A player on the opposing team was unable to stop and accidentally collided with him, according to Wajih AlBaroudi of CBS Sports.
School officials and police confirmed a skate blade cut Balkind's neck. The game was stopped and he was taken to a hospital, but he died of his injuries.
Balkind's identity was confirmed on Friday. Since the news of his death, support for his family and community has been pouring in from teams and players alike.
The NHL mourns the passing of Teddy Balkind. #sticksoutforTeddy pic.twitter.com/qXQp6yQxZc
— NHL (@NHL) January 8, 2022
Sending all my family’s love to the Balkind family! Just heard the unimaginable news and wanted to send our comfort and strength to the Balkind’s and the friends around them as they mourn the loss of Teddy. Life is precious. This has been another harsh reminder. God bless 🙏❤️
— Nick Foligno (@NickFoligno) January 8, 2022
Rest In Peace to Teddy Balkind.. super tragic and very sad. Thinking about him and his family🙏🏼 just a reminder to always be grateful for everyday and to never take anything for granted❤️
— Alex Turcotte (@Turcotte__71) January 8, 2022
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 8, 2022
Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.#SticksoutforTeddy pic.twitter.com/m4pdQD6OFv
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 8, 2022
Many players left hockey sticks outside of their homes to honor Balkind.
I’m heartbroken for the Balkind family and everyone who knew and loved Teddy. We’re sending our love to the St. Luke’s and Brunswick communities. A horrible tragedy playing the game we all love #sticksoutforteddy pic.twitter.com/SkvoZhiFqY
— Cam Atkinson (@CamAtkinson89) January 7, 2022
The hockey world is hurting over the tragic loss of Teddy Balkind yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young players from St. Luke’s and Brunswick and especially the Balkind family. Rest In Peace Teddy #sticksoutforTeddy pic.twitter.com/OmtRUH4diQ
— Kevin Shattenkirk (@shattdeuces) January 8, 2022
Sticks out for Teddy 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/nfNdrUW0VG
— Milan Lucic (@27MilanLucic) January 8, 2022
Sad to hear about the tragic loss of Teddy Balkind. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Balkind family. #sticksoutforteddy pic.twitter.com/FU4IMiKiLq
— Adam Henrique (@AdamHenrique) January 8, 2022
Sticks out for Teddy. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sRoTA5B2oZ
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) January 7, 2022
Thomas Philip, the head of Brunswick School, said the play was "entirely normal and unremarkable in the game of hockey."
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