On Friday the hockey community in New Canaan, Greenwich and beyond mourned the loss of St. Luke’s School 10th grader Teddy Balkind. The 15-year-old died on Thursday after sustaining an inury during a JV hockey game at Brunswick School’s Hartong rink in Greenwich.
During the game, the teen fell on the ice and his neck was cut when a Brunswick player collided collided with him.
After the incident, game play was stopped, 911 was called, and Balkind was transported to Greenwich Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
In something of a hockey tradition, families in the hockey community placed hockey sticks outside the doors of their homes in honor of Balkind.
The Greenwich Skating Cub issued a statement which said in part, “Hockey in our area is a close-knit community and many players on both teams played in our organizations over the years and will need support as well. While we can’t begin to understand the pain and suffering of the immediate family and close friends and family, we are all in pain and are sending our love, thoughts and prayers to everyone affected.”
“Teddy skated for the New Canaan Winter Club throughout his youth hockey career and was known to all as an all around incredible young man, son and brother,” New Canaan Police said in a Facebook post. “The men and women of the New Canaan Police Department offer our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Balkind family and all of those impacted by this tragic incident.”
New Canaan Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi said in an email to the school community that many New Canaan students had been friends with the boy and his family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with the entire St. Luke’s community,” Luizzi said in the email. “May you find strength and peace during this challenging time.”
The NHL shared a message on Twitter on Friday night with the hashtag #sticksoutforTeddy
Professional hockey player Cam Atkinson, a Greenwich native, posted a message on Twitter on Friday with a photo of a hockey stick outside a front door.
Greenwich High School hockey, New Canaan High School hockey and Brunswick Hockey all shared tributes to Balkind on Twitter on Friday.
Original story:
Tragic Accident during Brunswick Hockey Game Results in Player’s Death