The Connecticut high school hockey player who tragically lost his life during a tragic incident this week after his neck was slit open by a skate has been identified as Teddy Balkind.
On Thursday night, Balkind, who is a 10th grader at the St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, was fatally injured during a private-school matchup.
Balkind fell to the ice during the game, and another player who was near him didn’t stop in time, and the two collided, according to officials’ report.
Immediately after the accident, the game was stopped, and Balkind was transported to Greenwich Hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.
Balkind’s dad was present at the game and witnessed the horrific incident. The game was between Brunswick School and St. Luke’s School, a co-ed private school.
Students and their parents gathered outside of St. Luke’s School on Friday evening to mourn the horrific loss.
Following the incident, St. Luke’s School has released a statement to students.
“Yesterday, we lost a precious young man in a tragic accident,” the statement obtained by CBS 2 said. “Both St. Luke’s School and Brunswick School are in shock as we work to support our students and families. St. Luke’s singular focus at this moment is to care for our devastated community.”
The Brunswick School also released a statement to its student body as well.
“Tragedies such as this are hard to process and impossible to understand. We will do all we can in the coming days and weeks to help and support those in our community and in the St. Luke’s community.”
A statement from the New York Rangers also reads:
“The New York Rangers send their deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Teddy Balkind, who tragically passed away as the result of an accident during a Connecticut high school hockey game on Thursday night. While it’s hard to put into words the impact of such loss, know that our thoughts, prayers, and hearts are with you.”
