Eleven-year-old Carter Lein experienced a chilling close call on the ice that could have turned tragic during a youth hockey game.
According to the Daily Mail, the quick response and a vital safety rule combined at a critical moment prevented a fatal outcome after Carter's neck was slashed by a skate blade.
Carter, a passionate young player for the Oilers Under 12 team, faced a tense moment in the game against a Park City, Utah team when he suffered the accident. While playing defense and attempting to prevent a goal, the unforeseen danger struck as he tripped an opponent accidentally.
The fallen player's skate blade swung upwards during the fall, making a dangerous contact with Carter's neck. The sharp blade caused two deep cuts, immediately placing Carter in peril. Despite the severity, Carter initially didn't feel the cut due to adrenaline, realizing only something severe had occurred by observing the reactions around him.
"I did trip my opponent, accidently," Carter explained. "When I tripped him, he was going down and while he was going down, his skate came up and got me good in the neck."
Upon seeing the injury and hearing Carter’s distressed calls, an urgent wave of action swept through the bystanders and game officials. His father, Nick Lein, who also coaches the team, recounted the intense moment. "And then I just kind of saw the panic on his face and could hear him saying, 'My neck, my neck,'" Nick said.
The seriousness of the situation prompted immediate medical attention on the ice. Laura Lein, Carter's mother, described the scene as the game’s buzzer sounded, initiating a swift emergency response. “Pandemonium just kind of rang out. The buzzer sounded and I started running. I called to anybody to call 911,” she recalled.
Carter commended the quick actions of those around him, ensuring that he received prompt care while help was on the way. “Everyone jumped in in a millisecond. Everyone was asking me questions - they were holding my neck, they were yelling, they were screaming, and I heard the buzzer,” he stated.
The presence of a team trainer and the fast arrival of EMTs and firefighters ensured that Carter's injury was managed effectively until he could be transported to a hospital for further treatment.
This incident highlighted the importance of recent safety enhancements in youth hockey. Although Carter’s injury was serious, a neck guard mitigated its severity. USA Hockey had newly mandated this protective gear in August 2024 for players under 18. The neck guard proved its effectiveness by preventing the skate from severing a major artery, narrowly avoiding catastrophe. A subsequent CT scan confirmed just how close he came to a life-threatening outcome.
The new rule was a reaction to past tragedies, such as the October 2023 incident that saw former NHL and European hockey player Adam Johnson suffer a fatal injury under similar circumstances. It highlights the ongoing efforts to safeguard young athletes in a sport where the risks can be high but mitigated through proper equipment and adherence to safety standards.
"This time last year, players weren't wearing neck guards, which is a scary thought," Laura Lein noted, reflecting on the close call that could have ended differently had the rule not been in place.
The incident left a profound impact on Carter, who admitted to being traumatized and uncertain about his future in hockey. "When I was in the hospital, I was telling my parents I never wanted to play again. I didn't want to do anything like that," he shared, pondering his return to the sport he has loved since childhood.
His parents, standing firmly by his side, expressed full support for any decision he makes going forward. "Hockey has been my life since I was 3 or 4 years old," his father stated. "And for me, if he decides he doesn't want to play anymore, then he doesn't, and my wife and I will completely support that decision."
In the aftermath, the community overwhelmingly supported Carter, cheering as medical staff wheeled him out of the arena. This collective display of concern and encouragement highlighted not only the dangers associated with sports but also the strong bonds and care within sports communities.
