Mikael Hakkarainen (Supply: NHL)
Finland’s Mikael Hakkarainen, the ahead acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights from the Chicago Blackhawks and traded for Marc-Andre Fleury, was pressured to retire from skilled hockey on the age of 24 because of sudden congenital coronary heart illness.
In an interview with a Finnish information outlet Jatkoaika, Hakkarainen blames his coronary heart drawback after he examined optimistic for COVID-19 earlier this yr.
“I bought Covid on the finish of January. I bought extreme signs and went to play too early. Since April I’ve been doing nothing and observing what the scenario is. Now it has turn into identified that I’ve congenital coronary heart illness LVNC, or trabeculation cardiomyopathy,” Hakkarainen advised the Jatkoaika outlet.
“It signifies that I’ve the next danger of getting a coronary heart assault on the ice – particularly when there are contact conditions. It might have been arduous to play and I’d have gotten a spot, however you may’t play together with your well being,” he added.
The wholesome younger participant revealed that he had no historical past of coronary heart issues.
“I want to do one thing with ice hockey, however I can’t say something for positive but. You simply needed to settle for you can’t play hockey anymore. And that’s tremendous,” he mentioned.
It may be recalled that the NHL introduced stricter COVID-19 protocols for the 2021-22 season final yr, that embrace extreme penalties for unvaccinated gamers, corresponding to suspensions and lack of pay if these gamers examined optimistic, in response to Bleacher Nation.
This protocol additionally contains officers and all personnel that come into contact with the gamers.
In line with its website posted final yr, “The NHL is all the way down to 4 gamers who haven’t acquired the vaccination for COVID-19, Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned previous to the season-opening sport between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Area”
“Our vaccination price is unbelievable,” Commissioner Bettman mentioned. “4 gamers, not 4 % of gamers. All of our officers are vaccinated. All the personnel that come into contact with the gamers are vaccinated.”
Hakkarainen’s retirement comes after the information of a hockey participant in Canada who died suddenly throughout a event.
“Ayr Centennials of the Larger Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) introduced that Eli Palfreyman, who had simply been named captain, had handed away throughout a pre-season occasion on Tuesday evening. He was 20.”
Experiences mentioned Palfreyman collapsed within the dressing room throughout the first intermission.
The police have been referred to as promptly to the positioning because of a medical emergency; however, regardless of their greatest efforts, they have been unable to revive him.
