The game of hockey is inherently a dangerous game, with many player suffering injuries, some of which last a life time. If you need proof of this, look no further than the game between the Nybro Vikings IF and Tingryds AIF. The game had to be halted in the first period when twenty-four-year-old AIF right winger Linus Hedman was hit by a Vikings defender moments after he sent the puck into the neutral zone, causing Hedman to be knocked unconscious.
Due to the unfortunate hit, medical help was required and Hedman was taken off the ice in a stretcher and into a waiting ambulance before being sent to the hospital for further evaluation. The game was stopped due to the severity of how Hedman looked on the ice. In the game of hockey there's always the concern of possible serious injury especially due to how hard the athletes compete.
Everyone whom has played the game, knows that you learn to keep your head on a swivel to avoid scenarios such as this happening to you or an opponent, but it does happen and in the blink of an eye injuries occur. Whether the hit was clean, and the defender was just finishing their check is up for interpretation. The game has gotten faster, the players stronger and in some cases, there is no regard for anybody on the ice. As the game continues to evolve, the equipment has become such that players should feel safer, but this isn't always the case, accidents do happen, especially when it's least expected.
"Considering the nasty situation that arose in connection with yesterday's match against Nybro, Linus Hedman is now relatively well. X-rays showed that he had suffered a severe concussion. He also needed stitches to the back of his head after the damage he sustained on landing after the impact. At the time of writing, Linus remains at the hospital in Kalmar for observation. Through his partner, Linus says he is incredibly grateful and moved by all the support he has received, both from TAIF supporters and management, but also from Nybro Vikings and their professional handling in connection with the accident."