NHL: A Man's Sport

Perhaps one of the most ghastly accidents in recent NHL history occurred on February 10th 2008 between Florida Panthers right wing Richard Zednik and teammate Olli Jokinen. "I felt like somebody stabbed me," Zednik said Thursday at his first news conference since the injury. Jokinen was upended and his skate swung up, slashing Zednik's neck. His carotid artery was sliced but not completely severed, and the blade missed his jugular vein. Zednik approached the bench immediately proclaiming the only thing going through his head was his four year old daughter Ella. According to the Panther's player "I remember thinking, Am I going to see her grow up?"



Hockey has always been one of the more violent sports, whether it be the fist fights, hard-checking into the walls, or accidental skate incidents such as this one. Zednik underwent surgery and was discharged from Buffalo General Hospital just a week ago. Apparently he wants to return to the ice as soon as possible telling several sources "I can't wait to get back and be with the guys." The 32-year-old offensive player bears a long red scar down the right side of his scruffy neck, courtesy of the surgery. The scar intersects the 1½ inch cut left by his teammate’s skate.

So what does a guy do to pass the time while laid up in a hospital bed? Besides spending time with his young daughter, Zednik spent much of his time shopping for cars on-line. Although a scary incident for all parties involved, the NHL has gained a substantial amount of positive attention. First off, the Panther's website has received more than 20,000 get-well messages for Zednik. In light of the fact that Zednik will be able to make a full recovery at the completion of his rehab, a video of the incident has been posted on-line, drawing over a million views.

It's unlikely that Zednik will return to the team this season, but the family man says he will be wearing a protective neck brace the next time he laces up his skates. Zednik's accident came roughly twenty years after the neck of Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk was slashed in a similar accident. Malarchuk recovered but later struggled with nightmares and flashbacks. Zednik wishes not to talk much about the incident, claiming to want to focus on his career and getting back to his team.
-DP.