Lulea’s star defenseman Jenni Hiirikoski was hit in the neck by a skate on Sunday and had to undergo surgery. He could not yet say when he would return to the rink.
Luulaja, which is aiming for the Swedish women’s hockey championship Jenni Hiirikoski had already made it to the ice rink on Monday after Sunday evening’s scary accident.
– The team has morning training, so I came to meet the players. It was nice to see everyone. Considering the situation, I’m fine.
Hiirikoski got a cut on his neck from a skate in the SDHL’s second final match against Brynäs on Sunday. He tried to reach for the puck in the last minutes of the match, when a Brynäs player fell and hit Hiirikoski with his skate.
– I realized very quickly that the skate hit my neck. Then I drifted into the end board, raised my hands to my neck and realized that now I’m bleeding, now it’s not a good thing, Hiirikoski describes.
– People came to help very quickly. There were really competent people around who helped and took control of the situation, Hiirikoski praises.
The injury of the Finnish star scared both players and spectators. The Finn himself also said that he had experienced moments of horror.
– Yes, it was a really scary situation for me. I am really grateful to everyone who helped me. I received really good care. Otherwise, I’ve received a lot of encouraging and wonderful messages from all over the world. I am really grateful for them and for being here today.
According to Hiirikoski, the doctor who was there had the matter well under control. After looking at the wound, the doctor said that Hiirikoski would survive, and the worst fears disappeared.
The match’s medical staff treated Hiirikoski on the ice for 15 minutes and carried him off the field on a stretcher.
Hiirikoski was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he underwent an operation that required anesthesia. Hiirokoski could not yet say in more detail what had been done in the operation. He got home the same evening.
Return as soon as possible
Hiirikoski, 35, is the long-time captain of the Finnish national team and won, among other things, three Olympic bronze medals and one World Cup silver medal in Naisleijon. Hiirikoski doesn’t remember seeing a similar situation in his top career, which has continued since the beginning of the 2000s.
– There has certainly never been such a serious situation. There have been cuts caused by skates before, but maybe not in the neck area.
In the end, Luulaja won the match 5–3. The team leads the match series with a 2–0 win and can celebrate the Swedish championship already today, Monday, when the teams meet for the third time. Hiirokoski could not say yet, because he will be seen in the rink again.
– Hopefully as soon as possible. Of course, I always have a strong desire to return, but now let’s listen to what the doctors say and proceed accordingly. There is no more detailed information yet.
The team for the Women’s Ice Hockey World Championships in April will be announced tomorrow. Hiirokoski has not yet taken a position on whether he will be seen at the Canadian World Cup.
– We’ll see when the team is announced.