Tragedy struck at an adult-league hockey game earlier this week in Florida as a 64-year-old reportedly died shortly after being hit in the chest with the puck while making a save.
The unidentified man was playing goaltender for the Kraken Bears at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville on Tuesday night when he was struck with the puck during a game against the Fireballs, per the city’s sheriff’s office.
‘He complained of feeling unwell and exited the game,’ police wrote in an incident report, per the Miami Herald.
The man later reportedly collapsed in the stands, with nearby witnesses jumping in to perform CPR until medical professional arrived to find him unconscious.
Still in his hockey uniform, he was taken from the venue to a nearby hospital.
The man was pronounced dead around 11:20 p.m. local time, according to the police report.
Tragedy struck at an adult-league hockey game this week in Florida as a 64-year-old died
The unidentified man was playing goaltender for the Kraken Bears at the Community First Igloo
Family members who were reportedly with the deceased man during the incident said he did not have any preexisting medical conditions.
Social media for the Community First Igloo have not commented on the situation, while continuing to advertise for events at its rink.
Multiple events on the venue’s Instagram page mention the adult league, with photos of the participants.
The Community First Igloo says it has the only NHL-sized rinks in Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville’s highest-profile hockey team, the Icemen, are the East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.
