Hockey Player, 16, Killed After Getting Hit in the Neck by 100-mph Puck

A Russian hockey player succumbed to injuries he sustained last month after he was hit in the neck by a puck travelling at 100 mph during a game.

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On January 14, Alexander Orekhov was struck by the puck, which damaged his carotid artery, broke several bones in his neck, and sent him into cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital and placed in a medically induced coma as doctors tried to save his life.

He never recovered and died on Tuesday from heart failure. He was regarded as one of his country's rising stars in the sport.

The coach of his team, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, said in a statement: “Today we lost Alexander to his injuries. We just want to express my deepest condolences to the family. This is an irreplaceable loss for all of hockey.”

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According to reports, there is an investigation into his death, according to The Guardian.

Orekhov was eligible for the NHL entry draft next year and could have gone on to play professional hockey in North America.

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