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Swiss player paralyzed after hit from behind


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http://www.theglobea...article9447023/

Swiss player Ronny Keller is hit from behind into the boards by Stefan Schnyder (Teleclub Sports screen capture)

Swiss ice hockey player paralyzed after being pushed into end boardsAdd to ...

NOTTWIL, Switzerland — The Associated Press

Published Thursday, Mar. 07 2013, 10:27 AM EST

Last updated Thursday, Mar. 07 2013, 10:56 AM EST

9 comments

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A Swiss ice hockey player has been left paralyzed after being cross-checked into the boards from behind during a second division league playoff game Tuesday night.

Doctors treating Swiss ice hockey player Ronny Keller at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre say he sustained “permanent spinal paralysis” after damage to his fourth thoracic vertebra.

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swiss+injury.jpgSwiss player Ronny Keller is hit from behind into the boards by Stefan SchnyderTeleclub Sports screen capture

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Swiss league player paralyzed after hit

The club said that Keller had not suffered brain damage and was due to be released from intensive care soon.

“He’s awake, able to speak normally and has been informed of the results of the accident,” they said.

In a statement, the Swiss Ice Hockey Association said it was “overwhelmed” by what had happened to Keller.

“He is in all of our thoughts, as are his family and friends,” it said.

On the play in question during the first overtime period, Keller and Langenthal forward Stefan Schnyder are seen racing for the puck into the corner at which point Keller turns slightly to his left in an attempt to slow down his momentum and Schnyder pushes him, driving him head first into the end boards. Keller remained motionless on the ice, reportedly telling officials he could not feel his legs before a neck brace was applied and he was loaded onto a stretcher as fans and players looked on with concern clearly on their faces.

The Swiss league says it has opened a disciplinary case against Schnyder, who has been suspended for the remainder of the season while Swiss media reported that Schnyder has been questioned by police.

Schnyder said he is “haunted” by the incident and regretted his actions, telling the newspaper Blick that his intention was to get to the puck before Keller. At the time of the comments, he was unaware of Keller’s diagnosis.

Langenthal later said Schnyder was deeply upset and was receiving counselling after learning of Keller's condition.

Files from AFP were used in this report

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Hurts to even watch

The game has gotten too fast and the players are too strong. They either need to dial it down or learn to channel their speed and strength in a more safe manner

Best wishes to the injured player

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it's not something new to the game.......it's been happening since the game started

The evolution of workout strategies, nutrition, energy drinks, supplements, faster skates, harder equipment, etc. has brought about a whole new element to the game of hockey. It has never been played this fast and the players have never been this strong before.

Look at the physique of Gretzky in his prime vs Crosby in his prime. Crosby is massive because he has to be. The game is evolving. It's a good thing because it means a better product but it is also more dangerous when something goes wrong.

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Oh man, that was such an unlucky incident! Sure this guy Schnyder hit him pretty hard and could have eased up a bit, but such a freak accident that Keller was in that position as both went for the puck at such high speed. Feeling pretty bad for both of these guys right now... Hope there can be some improvement on the injured ones status in the future. And wonder if the other guy will be a 'whole' player ever again. That incident will be with him as well for the rest of his life.

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The evolution of workout strategies, nutrition, energy drinks, supplements, faster skates, harder equipment, etc. has brought about a whole new element to the game of hockey. It has never been played this fast and the players have never been this strong before.

Look at the physique of Gretzky in his prime vs Crosby in his prime. Crosby is massive because he has to be. The game is evolving. It's a good thing because it means a better product but it is also more dangerous when something goes wrong.

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Would not call Crosby a massive guy by any means...he's bigger than the average person sure, but he's not huge. Still, agree with your point. Bigger guys are moving faster and applying more force. Though you don't want to tone down the physicality of such a passionate game, you want to avoid bad injuries and even with all the ever-evolving armour it gets hard because of the change in player's physical performance.

Absolutely horrendous hit...hard to watch him go right head first into the boards. Though it was boarding, it didn't look like one of those real malicious cheapshots we've seen before. Just shows this could happen on any one of those hits, and they have to be taken out of the game. Career ended, life hugely affected just like that. The hitter sounds pretty shaken up about this too, just a terrible incident. Thoughts are with Ronny Keller.

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The evolution of workout strategies, nutrition, energy drinks, supplements, faster skates, harder equipment, etc. has brought about a whole new element to the game of hockey. It has never been played this fast and the players have never been this strong before.

Look at the physique of Gretzky in his prime vs Crosby in his prime. Crosby is massive because he has to be. The game is evolving. It's a good thing because it means a better product but it is also more dangerous when something goes wrong.

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