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A Gainesville man died after being hit in the chest with a hockey puck during an adult league game at Community First Igloo in Jacksonville Tuesday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 64-year-old Gainesville man suffered cardiac arrest and died Tuesday night after getting hit in the chest with a hockey puck at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville.
An officer responded to the ice rink, located at 3605 Philips Highway, around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday to assist Jacksonville Fire and Rescue with a cardiac arrest patient. JFRD began CPR on the victim, who was still unconscious and wearing his hockey uniform.
According to a witness, the victim was hit in the chest with a hockey puck while playing goalie. According to the Community First Igloo site, the man plays for the Kraken Beers. They were playing the Fireballs Tuesday night.
After getting hit with the puck, the witness said the goalie complained of feeling unwell and left the game. He collapsed near the stands and bystanders began CPR.
JFRD took the man to the hospital where he later died. His family told police he did not have any preexisting health conditions.
Jerry Stevens, LAT, ATC. Supervisor District Sports Medicine for Duval County Public Schools says it appears all proper steps were taken in response to the incident.
He suggested the cause might have been commotio cordis, a rare condition caused by a blow to the chest.
“What happens is, is that object hits the chest right at the perfect time, disrupts the normal rhythm of the heart, so the heart stops,” Stevens said.
The Community First Igloo staff responded quickly calling 911 using an automated external defibrillator (AED) available in the building.
Alex Reed, Director of Communications for Jacksonville Icemen and Community First Igloo, says hockey is a fast sport, and there can be an element of danger.
“This was traumatic,” Reed said. “And unexpected. Everyone comes out of this wanting to have some fun. You never, you know, come to the rink thinking something like that will unfold.”
For parents who may be worried, he stressed the importance of wearing the proper gear.
As the community mourns, Foster is remembered as a bright spirit and true lover of the sport.
“We’re a very tight-knit hockey community,” Reed said. “I may not have known him personally, but, we’re all in this great game together.
