Richard Zednik lost five pints of blood when he had his throat slit playing ice hockey for the Florida Panthers in 2008, but some split-second decision making saved his life.
The Slovakian star was involved in a clash with his own teammate, Olli Jokinen, who accidentally slashed Zednik's common carotid artery. The incident occurred in a clash against Buffalo Sabres.
However, Zednik was able to save his own life when he decided to see if he could make his way off the ice with the gruesome injury. "It was like a stab, I felt like somebody stabbed me," he recalled. "It wasn't the pain, it was like 'what's going to happen?'"
READ MORE: Nottingham ice hockey star Adam Johnson, 29, dies after 'skate blade cuts his throat'
READ MORE: Police investigating Adam Johnson ice hockey death after 'blade slits throat' during match
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Zednik added: "We were waiting and I was like, 'What's going to happen, do I sit about?' I was like 'Ok this is it, I have to get up and get to the bench'. I did my job to get there."
The Slovak was able to make his way to his trainer, collapsing in his arms, who quickly put pressure on the wound. Zednik was rushed to the medical room where he was stabilised by paramedics.
Safety in ice hockey has been put into question over the weekend, following the death of Adam Johnson. Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers when he suffered a freak accident that also saw his throat slit. Johnson was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) – which oversees all levels of ice hockey in the England below the Elite League – has issued safety advice to all members regarding the use of neck guards. The EIHA have "strongly recommended" all players wear neck guards.
The advice is in place until the start of 2024, when it will become a mandatory requirement.
Zednik continued: "I don't get to train for this experience, you know, I knew what happened and that I was in trouble.
"My job is to get up as soon as possible, because if somebody got injured then the trainer comes to the ice and everything, it takes time. I knew every second was important for me.
"So I was holding my neck and getting to the bench. That's what was on my mind, when it happened I was like 'I have to do this'."
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