Bruins’ Ward Hospitalized For Neck Injury
February 14, 2008 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Boston Bruins, Fan Fare, Injuries, News
Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward has been hospitalized after sustaining a neck injury during the 2nd period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. He is listed as being in stable condition. “Ward was not bleeding when he left the ice and did not leave on a stretcher, but coach Claude Julien said following Boston’s 2-1 win that Ward coughed up some blood before leaving the ice.”
The 35-year-old Ward was skating toward Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar near the end boards when Gonchar got either his forearm or his stick up and accidentally struck Ward in the throat.
“I got there and he was making a choking sound, holding his throat and gasping for air,” teammate Zdeno Chara said.
Yeah… yet neck guards are too “uncool” for professional NHL players. Jodie from over on Gossip on Sports did a whole post about how stupid it is and I’m inclined to agree.
What do you think? Should professional players wear neck guards? I mean, it wasn’t that long ago when helmets weren’t obligatory. Is this a similar issue?
