Sanni Hakala, the striker of the Swedish main league club HV71, was seriously injured on Friday.
The Finnish captain of HV71, the main league of Swedish women’s ice hockey Sanni Hakala have been operated on in hospital, the club says in its press release.
HV71 reported that Hakala received surgery for her neck injuries. According to the doctors, the surgery went well, and Hakala has a long rehabilitation ahead of her.
Hakala was injured in a scary situation against Stockholm’s Djurgården on Friday. He slid headfirst into the post and was left lying there.
Teammates and referees signaled the first aid personnel to the spot and Hakala was finally taken off the ice on a stretcher.
The match was suspended for almost 40 minutes before it was announced in the arena that the match was over.
HV71 already reported on Friday that Hakala could speak and move her hands.
According to the club’s press release, Hakala was operated on at Linköping University Hospital on Saturday.
The release states that Hakala has received support from her loved ones. The player is said to be grateful for all the support he has received from the hockey community.
Hakala, 26, has been playing in Sweden since 2016. He joined HV71 in November 2016.
She has played for a long time in the women’s national team and won two Olympic bronze medals.