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Teddy Balkind praised team in touching last post: 'Ended in best way possible'

Teddy Balkind, a 10th-grade student from Connecticut, died after suffering an injury to his neck during a junior varsity ice hockey game

Teddy Balkind, a 10th-grade student from St Luke's school, Connecticut, died on January 6, Thursday, after he fell on the ice and was run into by another player who couldn't control the collision. During the junior varsity ice hockey game, Balkind's neck was cut by the Brunswick player's skate blade. Though he was taken to Greenwich Hospital immediately, he could not survive an emergency operation.  

The St Luke's school has canceled classes on Friday and announced a delayed start for the school day on Monday. On social media, tribute poured in for Teddy Balkind as people took pictures of hockey sticks outside their doors and posted them under the hashtag #sticksoutforteddy.

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Before the tragic death of the teen, the young hockey star shared a picture of his team winning the hockey state championship at the Northford Ice Pavilion in March 2020. The caption read: "It's been a great 8 years with the winter club and it ended in the best way possible #state champs."

"My 1st tweet in ages. Heartache. No words. Lots of tears. The hockey community near and far is family. We lost a family member. Prayers for the family, teammates, communities, and all connected to such a tragedy just over an hour away. Our family has #sticksoutforTeddy," wrote Connecticut resident Dr Jason Emery on Twitter. 

The New Canaan Police Department posted a tribute to Balkind on social media and said the young hockey player had been "an all-around incredible young man, son and brother." They wrote, "The Town of New Canaan and the St. Luke's community suffered a tragic loss last night. Teddy Balkind, a Sophomore at St. Luke's passed away after suffering a tragic injury in a hockey game between St. Luke's and Brunswick."

Martin St Louis, former NHL player sent condolences over Twitter as he wrote: "We have heavy hearts in our local hockey community. My thoughts and prayers are with Teddy's family, teammates, friends and everyone impacted by this tragedy."

New Canaan High School Boys Hockey Team called Balkind, "Wonderful young man, always smiling, a terrific teammate." St Luke's Head of School Mark Davis, "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 devasted community."

"Tragedies such as this are hard to process and impossible to understand. 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," added Brunswick School.