In Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, an 11-year-old boy lost his life after being struck in the neck by a puck during an ice hockey practice session.
The accident occurred on Tuesday evening, December 12, 2023, at the Complexe Walter-Buswell arena.
The young boy, whose identity remains undisclosed, was participating in a routine exercise when the incident occurred. Despite being equipped with standard protective gear, including a neck guard, he suffered severe injuries.
He was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Montreal, where he remained in intensive care for several days before dying from his injuries on Friday, December 15, 2023.
The Saint-Eustache police and local officials have confirmed the accidental nature of his death and have initiated an investigation in collaboration with the Quebec Coroner’s Office.
Jean-Philippe Labrèche, president of the Saint-Eustache Minor Hockey Association, conveyed his deepest sympathies to the boy’s family. “I salute the solidarity shown by many over the past few days, which have been extremely emotional. Finally, above all, I offer the family and their loved ones my most sincere sympathies,” said Labrèche.
Isabelle Charest, Quebec’s Minister for Sport, described the incident as a “sadness without words.” The incident has reignited discussions on the safety of young athletes, particularly in high-impact sports like ice hockey.
Despite regulations requiring neck guards for minor hockey players in Quebec, experts note that such equipment may not offer complete protection against direct and high-speed impacts.
Safety in ice hockey, especially regarding neck protection, remains a topic of ongoing discussion in hockey. Former NHL player Trent McCleary, who himself suffered a serious neck injury from a puck, commented that injuries like the one sustained by the boy are not necessarily preventable by neck guards.