Brutal Hit From Behind Leaves Young Hockey Player Hospitalized After Head-First Collision

Since hockey is such a fast-paced, physically demanding sport, players getting checked into the boards is always one of the worst injuries. Unfortunately, Timur Bariyev, a 15-year-old hockey player, experienced the unimaginable. His head and neck seemed to have taken the brunt of the impact as he was slammed straight into the boards from the back. He has a confirmed serious spinal injury and is currently in the hospital. We're praying for this young man.

Boarding incidents have occurred throughout hockey's history. One of the worst boarding incidents occurred during the 1993-1994 season when NHL forward Kevin Stevens crashed headfirst into the boards while trying to deliver a hit, breaking his face and skull. Stevens did make a comeback to the ice, but his game and career were never the same. One of the most startling illustrations of how dangerous a collision with the boards can be is his injury.

In 2011, Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens suffered a severe concussion, a fractured sternum, and a broken neck after Zdeno Chara's terrifying check into the boards sent him crashing into a stanchion. Discussions about rink design, player safety, and the dangers of high-speed collisions near the boards were reignited by the injury, which sent shockwaves through the league.

In 2004, Steve Moore suffered yet another severe injury. In addition to a well-publicized legal battle, Moore suffered three fractured vertebrae and a severe concussion that ended his career after being punched from behind by Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi and sent face-first into the ice.

Due to the high speeds at which collisions can occur, all of these incidents demonstrate that body checks along the boards can be harmful and occasionally transform a player's life. Tighter regulations on boarding and hits from behind, along with improved rink design, aim to lower those risks. Hopefully, Timur Bariyev won't sustain any injuries that would change his life. We all hope he recovers as quickly as possible.

Together, the hockey community prays for Timur Bariyev's speedy recovery during this difficult time.