24 yo Czech Referee dies from puck to head

[IgiTang]

Sad.. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

http://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/2...ccident?ref=jo

[Aeneas]

Terrible. Sent a message to Calgaryboy, I am sure he may have more details.

[Locke]

That sucks to hear, just a freak accident.

[the2bears]

Really sad Thoughts to his family and friends.

[trublmaker]

terrible news

[calgaryblood]

That's awful. Went under his visor and still connected with enough force to kill him. Really puts into perspective what these refs and players put on the line every night with getting in front of 90-100 mph slap shots.

RIP.

[NuclearFart]

Crazy.

Not sure how it is anatomically possible to have a puck directly hit the T-bone with modern helmets in proper position, but it would appear to have happened regardless.

[Huntingwhale]

Very sad news. As horrible as it sounds, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often in hockey at all levels. I guess it's a testament to the safety equipment that is used. But at the same time, hard rubber pucks are being whipped by these composite sticks at over 100mph and it was only a matter of time.

[Aeneas]

Calgaryboy said it happened in Brno, or he was from Brno. That's pretty close to him.

Had pregnant girlfriend.

Said it looked like he would get better, then he died.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Very sad news. As horrible as it sounds, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often in hockey at all levels. I guess it's a testament to the safety equipment that is used. But at the same time, hard rubber pucks are being whipped by these composite sticks at over 100mph and it was only a matter of time.

This is true. It's not like refs are wearing a lot of padding and they could break a bone at any given time. It's hard to work and live your life when you have broken bones.

But personally I don't like refs being on the ice anyhow. They get in the way and exercise judgement calls and bias, which isn't good for the fans

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Very sad news. As horrible as it sounds, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often in hockey at all levels. I guess it's a testament to the safety equipment that is used. But at the same time, hard rubber pucks are being whipped by these composite sticks at over 100mph and it was only a matter of time.

Yeah, when you really think about it, it's pretty insane these people don't all wear full cages on the ice. It's even more insane that some are diving in front of pucks without even a visor.

Thoughts to his young family. Just awful.

[StrykerSteve]

This is horrible, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

[Aeneas]

A further update from Czech Rep. courtesy Calgaryboy about the girlfriend he left behind.

She will give birth in one week.
He died on her birthday.
It is her second partner to die, in 2012 he drowned rafting in Austria.

[Mr.Coffee]

Wow........... Now that is depressing.

[Coach]

Just terrible. I hope she has some solid support around her.

[erikk3]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

A further update from Czech Rep. courtesy Calgaryboy about the girlfriend he left behind.

She will give birth in one week.
He died on her birthday.
It is her second partner to die, in 2012 he drowned rafting in Austria.

Holy...