19-year-old Russian hockey player dies after being struck by puck

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/16/21

Timur Faizutdinov, a 19-year-old Russian defenseman for Dynamo St. Petersburg's junior team, died after being struck in the head by a puck during this past Friday's game against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl,

"Timur Faizutdinov was injured on March 12 in Yaroslavl during a match against Lokomotiv," his club announced in a statement shared by Zahra Ullah and Anna Chernova of CNN. "The puck hit the head area, the player was hospitalized in serious condition. Doctors fought for his life for three days."

As Joshua Rhett Miller explained for the New York Post, Faizutdinov's teammates honored him on the ice on Tuesday:

Upcoming Kontinental Hockey League games will start with a moment of silence in Faizutdinov's memory.

"The Kontinental Hockey League is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of JHL Dynamo St. Petersburg player, Timur Fayzutdinov, after he sustained a head injury during a JHL fixture on 12th March," the KHL said in a brief statement.

"We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"The playoff games on 17th and 18th March will be held in memory of him and will begin with a minute of silence."

More must-reads: