JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An adult hockey league game at the Community First Igloo turned tragic Tuesday night after a goalie was hit in the chest with a puck and later died after a cardiac emergency, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses told police that the 64-year-old man from Gainesville was playing goalie in a recreational game at the hockey facility on Philips Highway when a puck hit him in the chest around 10:30 p.m.
After being hit, the man said he didn’t feel good and left the game.
He collapsed near the stands, still wearing his hockey uniform, and bystanders began CPR until paramedics arrived.
Aaaron Hastings, who works at Community First Igloo, witnessed what happened and sprung into action to help.
“I got a call from a scorekeeper that the goalie wasn’t moving behind the bench,” Hastings said. “I kind of hustled over there, saw that he was unconscious, but still breathing, ran over, had someone call 911, and then we flipped him over. I started doing compressions and light breaths, and we hit them with the AED twice, and someone else jumped in and continued compressions after I switched out, and rescue showed up probably about five minutes after we called.”
JSO said officers responded with paramedics around 10:39 p.m. to the report of a cardiac arrest.
The man’s family was with him and told first responders he didn’t have any pre-existing conditions.
Paramedics rushed the man to Baptist Medical Center, where he died.
JSO said the man’s death is considered undetermined until the Medical Examiner can perform an autopsy.
Hastings said he does not think getting hit by a puck caused the cardiac emergency.
“It’s not what caused it. He’s a goalie. He has heavy chest pad on,” Hastings said. “Somehow, when he got off the ice, he got his chest protector off, so that made it easier for us to get to his chest to like start working on him. But it wasn’t a puck, because he’s a goalie. He gets hit in the chest all the time.”
According to the Community First Igloo website, the man played for the Kraken Beers. The team was playing the Fireballs on Tuesday night.
Community First Igloo also put out a statement on the matter, saying:
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of one of our adult hockey league players during a game on Tuesday night at our facility. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of this individual during this incredibly difficult time. We are devastated by this tragic loss and extend our deepest condolences to all who were impacted.
We would also like to acknowledge the quick actions of our staff, who immediately responded, administering CPR and AED support until EMS arrived.
Our thoughts remain with the family and everyone affected as we grieve together.
Community First Igloo
