High School Hockey Player Who Died Identified As 10th Grader

GREENWICH, CT — Two communities are mourning the loss of a high school hockey player who died on Thursday night after sustaining an injury during a game at Brunswick School in Greenwich.

According to a social media post from the New Canaan Police Department, the player has been identified as Teddy Balkind, a sophomore at St. Luke's School.

St. Luke's Head of School Mark Davis told Patch the community is in 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," Davis said.

A hockey game between Brunswick and visiting St. Luke’s began at 5 p.m. Thursday at Hartong Ice Rink on Brunswick's King Street campus.

Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the Greenwich Police Department said during the normal course of the game, "a player from the visiting team fell to the ice."

Another player who was near the downed player was unable to stop, and collided with the player who fell, Zuccerella said. As a result, the player who originally fell sustained a serious injury and play was stopped.

After 911 was called, Balkind was taken to Greenwich Hospital where he underwent surgery, but he died as a result of the injury, News 12 CT reported.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Connecticut ruled the cause of death an accident by a "wound of the neck," according to Hearst Connecticut.

On Saturday, hockey sticks could be seen outside the front doors of businesses and residences in New Canaan. The hashtag #SticksOutForTeddy was created on social media. The National Hockey League and professional teams are showing solidarity and offering support to the Balkind family, St. Luke's and Brunswick.

pic.twitter.com/xju02oM4Tc
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 8, 2022

Brunswick Head of School Thomas Philip said all involved are "saddened beyond words."

"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," Philip added. "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."

According to their social media post, the New Canaan Police Department said Balkind skated for the New Canaan Winter Club throughout his youth hockey career.

"[He] was known to all as an all around incredible young man, son and brother. The men and women of the New Canaan Police Department offer our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Balkind family and all of those impacted by this tragic incident," the department said.

The New Canaan High School hockey team acknowledged the death of Balkind Friday.

We woke up this morning with the heaviest hearts after hearing of the tragic loss of one of New Canaan's own. Teddy was a wonderful young man, always smiling, a terrific teammate. No words are adequate for the grief we are all feeling. Our prayers are with Teddy and his family
— New Canaan Hockey (@NCPuck) January 7, 2022

On Friday, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) tweeted about the incident.

The CIAC extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the St. Luke's hockey player and the St. Luke's community for their tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by this tragedy.
— CIAC Sports (@ciacsports) January 7, 2022

The New Canaan Fire Department also tweeted out condolences.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and St. Luke's School for their loss.
— New Canaan Fire Dept (@NCFDCT) January 7, 2022

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo posted about the tragedy on Facebook.

"The Town of Greenwich sends its condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of the young man who lost his life in a tragic accident on the ice yesterday at Brunswick. We pray that all those affected find on strength and comfort in the days ahead. Rest peacefully," Camillo said.

St. Luke's was originally going to hold classes remotely because of snow on Friday, but all classes and after school activities have been canceled. In an email to families from Davis Friday morning, according to the Greenwich Time, St. Luke's was scheduled to open at noon to allow students and families to gather and grieve.