Tragedy on the ice: St. Luke's School hockey player dies after injury in game

During the game at Hartong Rink, Greenwich police say Teddy Balkind fell to the ice. Another player, who was unable to stop, collided with him.

News 12 Staff

Jan 7, 2022, 2:52 AM

Updated 1,061 days ago

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A St. Luke's hockey player died following an injury during a game at Brunswick School Thursday.
The flag at St. Luke's School in New Canaan was at half-staff Friday following the death of 10th grader Teddy Balkind.
During the game at Hartong Rink, Greenwich police say Balkind fell to the ice. Another player, who was unable to stop, collided with him.
A letter from Brunswick School sent to parents says the player's neck was accidentally cut by a skate during what witnesses described as a normal hockey play.
It goes on to say Balkind was immediately treated by Brunswick medical staff, then rushed to Greenwich Hospital but died during surgery.
St. Luke's was supposed to have school virtually Friday because of the snow. Instead, Head of School Mark Davis canceled classes to honor Balkind and allow the community to process the loss.
Davis said in a statement to News 12, "Our community is mourning. Yesterday, we lost a precious young man in a tragic accident. 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."
"We are saddened beyond words," Brunswick Head of School Thomas W. Philip said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the boy, the players and coaches on both teams, the entirety of the St Luke's School community, and our own students and families. 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. We ask that everyone say a prayer for the boy, his family, and all those impacted by this horrible accident."
News 12 learned Balkind was a mentor for the Southern Connecticut Storm, a hockey program for kids and young adults with developmental disabilities.
The New Canaan Police Department paid tribute to him on Facebook posting, "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." 
St. Luke's and Brunswick are offering counseling and resources along with the group Kids in Crisis to make sure people know they're here to help. The 24/7 helpline is 203-661-1911.
The hashtag #SticksOutForTeddy is trending on social media with people, including NHL players like Greenwich’s Cam Atkinson posting pictures of hockey sticks outside their homes.