Mike Ribeiro, forward for the Dallas Stars, was injured in last night's game against the New York Rangers. He was hit in the throat, inadvertently, by an opponent's stick. Although it did not look at first to be anything serious, it quickly became clear that he was in a lot of distress. He was helped off the ice and immediately taken to a local hospital.
Ribeiro was operated on to fix the damage, including a tracheotomy needed to allow him to breathe. The Stars have placed him on injured reserve, and don't anticipate him returning to the lineup for 4-6 weeks.
Razor sharp skates ... a vulcanized rubber puck traveling at up to 100mph ... sticks (now almost all composite) that can be used as weapons, intentionally or unintentionally ... large men flying around the ice at speeds that are hard to comprehend ... rules of the game that make physical hits legal, indeed encouraged ... a game where fighting is expected ...
It is a violent game that takes a lot of talent to play, and a lot of luck to keep from getting seriously hurt.
Here is Mr. Ribeiro in some more pleasant times ....
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