MAJOR | Young hockey player leaves hockey game on a stretcher after receiving a skate to the throat

Vitali Lyulko, a player in Russia's VHL, appears to have avoided the worst after taking a skate to the throat area.

The defenceman for Metallurg Novokuznetsk was in front of his team's net when an opposing player fell, with his skates catching Lyulko up high.

Thankfully, Lyulko managed to skate off the ice under his power, and the skate may have missed directly connecting with his throat.




The player was reportedly taken off the bench on a stretcher and transported to hospital in an ambulance, but it's unclear what his status is now.

While some players were wearing neckguards, Lyulko was not.


The incident looks to be a close call just weeks after a skate to the throat caused the tragic death of Adam Johnson in the EIHL.

Several NHLers have elected to wear neckguards since Johnson's death, and there's ongoing discussion about mandating the protective gear.