A recent tragedy in Edmonton has brought local attention to the most dangerous play in hockey; shot blocking.
16-year-old Kyle Fundytus, who played for the Don Wheaton Midget AA team in Edmonton, tragically lost his life on November 13 after being struck in the neck by a shot. He went into cardiac arrest, and died later in the hospital.
It was a tragedy that shook the hockey world, and showed how much damage a puck can really do to someone.
Tributes for Fundytus poured in through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This facebook tribute was reposted by many in the hockey world.
Deeply saddened to hear the news of 16 year old, Kyle Fundytus, who played for the Don Wheaton Midget AA team...He passed away last week after taking a blocked shot to the neck, sending him into cardiac arrest...
Only a true hockey player can understand the meaning of "sacrificing the body". It takes a very special type of individual to make this sacrifice. For those of us who understand, we know that Kyle risked his life for the betterment of his team-his brothers in uniform.
I am calling on those who have ever laced up a pair of skates and laid themselves on the line to honor Kyle's memory by re-posting this on their wall...
RIP Kyle you were a true hockey player
Here is a link from the The Province newspaper in Vancouver of the reaction to this tragedy on Twitter
The incident has raised the issue of whether shot blocking should be coached at the youth and amateur levels. Trojans head coach Ken Babey doesn’t seem to think it is necessary.
The incident has raised the issue of whether shot blocking should be coached at the youth and amateur levels. Trojans head coach Ken Babey doesn’t seem to think it is necessary.
“I don’t see the need. Once you start making a decision around 16 and 17 that you are going to play serious hockey, then it becomes a bigger aspect of the game,” said Babey.
With the introduction of composite sticks to the NHL and other levels of hockey, players are shooting the puck harder than ever before. And while no NHL players have died as a result of blocking a shot, there have been a few close calls.
I apologize for the video quality, but this was perhaps the closest there has been to a player dying in the NHL from blocking a shot. Trent McCleary suffered a fractured larynx on the play, and was never able to play hockey again after the incident.
What saved his life was the ambulance and medical crew which are on hand for every NHL game, a luxury that was unfortunately not available for Kyle Fundytus.
Shot blocking takes a lot of courage, but it is very important that it is done properly. There is not much room for error. Here are some tips for proper shot blocking techniques that coaches should be teaching players from the youth level and upwards.
North American players are known for their gritty style of play, and shot blocking is encouraged at the youth level. The majority of players in the NHL are from Canada and the United States. This means that players coming over from European leagues have to adapt to the North American style of play, and shot blocking is expected of them.
Stats are from NHL.com
In terms of shot blocking, no one does it better on the SAIT Trojans than forward Garrett Watson. Watson, who is currently injured, relishes his role for the Trojans and gives his team energy with his shot blocking.
North American players are known for their gritty style of play, and shot blocking is encouraged at the youth level. The majority of players in the NHL are from Canada and the United States. This means that players coming over from European leagues have to adapt to the North American style of play, and shot blocking is expected of them.
| Canadian | 54% | |
| American | 23% | |
| Czech | 4% | |
| Swedish | 6% | |
| Finnish | 2.50% | |
| Russian | 3% | |
| Other | 7.50% |
Stats are from NHL.com
In terms of shot blocking, no one does it better on the SAIT Trojans than forward Garrett Watson. Watson, who is currently injured, relishes his role for the Trojans and gives his team energy with his shot blocking.
“It’s not like scoring a goal, but when you get down and feel that puck hit you, you hear the bench behind you 100 percent, its just as good of a satisfaction,” said Watson.
Watson sees the incident in Edmonton as a tragic accident, but knows that young hockey players will do whatever it takes to win the game.
“It’s tough to tell a guy to avoid that, because at the end of the day you are just trying to do what you can to get two points for your team,” he said.
Shot blocking earns a player respect from his teammates and coaches, as it is a way to sacrifice your body for the team.
“It’s becoming a big aspect of the game and it shows the courage you have to put your body in the line of that puck. It doesn’t feel good when you block that puck but it gives your team a boost,” said Trojans forward Matt Stefanishion.
There is much more to the game of hockey than scoring goals. Each team needs a player like Garrett Watson, someone who will go to the tough areas, win faceoffs, and block shots.
And while most of these stats don’t show up on the score sheet, Watson’s role on the Trojans is just as important as any of the leading scorers.
Always sacrificing his body for the team, Watson has earned a wealth of respect amongst his teammates and coaches.
“I miss Watty every day,” said Babey.
“His leadership on the ice, his commitment to the program, shotblocking, faceoffs, he reminds me of Joel Otto, a big guy who wins faceoffs and blocks shots.”
