The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced Monday that the recent death of a high school hockey player from a game injury was ruled accidental.
The medical examiner said in a statement that the death of sophomore Teddy Balkind an “accident” caused by the skate of another hockey player that resulted in an “incised wound of [the] neck,” CNN reported.
Balkind suffered the fatal injury Jan. 6 during a hockey game between his school, St. Luke’s School, in New Canaan, and Brunswick School in Greenwich.
Another player, who was unable to stop, collided with Balkind after he fell, accidentally cutting Balkind’s neck with his skate, according to The New York Post. The teen died from the injury after being taken to a local hospital. (RELATED: Boston Bruins Pledge $100K Minimum For Injured High School Hockey Player)
The National Hockey League released an official statement Jan. 7, offering condolences to Balkind’s family and friends. NHL players and teams also posted on social media in remembrance of Balkind, according to NHL.com.
The Carolina Hurricanes honored the high schooler by marking a locker with his name and number before a game.
The NHL mourns the passing of Teddy Balkind. #sticksoutforTeddy pic.twitter.com/qXQp6yQxZc
— NHL (@NHL) January 8, 2022
For Teddy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F99TrFRdxe
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 8, 2022
The hashtag “#SticksOutForTeddy” appeared on Twitter following the tragedy, with people posting pictures of hockey sticks left outside buildings in memory of Balkind, according to NHL.com.
A March 4, 2020, Instagram post by Balkind has gone viral since his death, according to The New York Post. The post included a photo of Balkind’s team, with the caption saying that his eight years with his winter team had that ended “in the best possible way” by becoming state champions.