Connecticut high school student dies in freak ice hockey accident: ‘Our hearts are heavy’

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A 10th grade student from Connecticut has died after suffering a neck injury during a junior hockey game last week.

St. Luke’s School hockey player Teddy Balkind died Thursday after he fell to the ice during a game and was struck by another player who “failed to stop” before the collision, police said Greenwich time.

Balkind was cut in the neck by the other player’s skate blade and was taken to a local hospital but did not survive emergency surgery, according to a statement from the school obtained by ABC News.

“There are no suitable words for this moment, and I know we will all support each other as best we can,” St. Luke’s principal Mark Davis told the community in an email after the accident Greenwich time.

The New Canaan-based school canceled classes Friday and announced a delayed start to the school day on Monday. On social media, residents took photos of hockey sticks outside their doors as a tribute to Balkind. Many were posted under the hashtag #StickOutForTeddy.

“No words. Lots of tears,” said Dr. Jason Emery from Connecticut wrote on twitter. “The hockey community near and far is one family. We lost a family member. Prayers for the family, teammates, communities and everyone involved with such a tragedy just an hour away. Our family has #sticksoutforTeddy.”

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The New Canaan Police Department paid tribute to Balkind on social media, saying the young hockey player was “an all-around incredible young man, son and brother.”

“The city of New Canaan and St. Luke Parish suffered a tragic loss last night,” they said. “Teddy Balkind, a sophomore at St. Luke’s, has died after sustaining a tragic injury during a hockey game between St. Luke’s and Brunswick.”

Former NHL player Martin St. Louis expressed his condolences Twitter.

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“We have heavy hearts in our local hockey community,” he tweeted. “My thoughts and prayers are with Teddy’s family, teammates, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The New Canaan High School boys’ ice hockey team referred to Balkind as “wonderful young man, always smiling, a great teammate.”

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Davis told Greenwich time that after Balkind’s tragic death, the school focused on helping its community.

“Both St. Luke’s School and Brunswick School are in shock as we work to support our students and families,” he said. “St. Luke’s primary focus at this moment is caring for our devastated community.”