Sanni Hakala paralyzed after head-first collision in latest ice hockey injury

Sanni Hakala has been left paralyzed from the chest following a collision with a goalpost whilst playing for HV71 in Sweden.

Hakala, 26, has represented Finland at two Winter Olympic Games, winning bronze in both editions.

In a post on Instagram, Hakala stated: “I understand that I am now facing a long and hard fight with my body and the toughest game of my life.”

The Fin is expected to need a wheelchair for the rest of her life as her injury has mostly affected her lower body, although she does have some reduced function in her arms.

Hakala’s post on Instagram continued by expressing confusion at how her accident caused such severe injuries, saying: “It is still hard to understand what has happened, that the crash into the goalpost was as serious as it was, that the consequences have become so big”.

The injury occurred after Hakala crashed head-first into the goal, showcasing another hazard with ice hockey, where speed is such an important asset, especially in the women’s game.

Hakala’s injury comes not long after the former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson died on the ice whilst playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League in England in what has become a tough period for the sport.

Hockey has always been a dangerous sport with injuries occurring regularly due to the high-speed collisions of opposing players. The incidents involving Johnson and Hakala are incredibly rare, and unfortunate incidents, but they do highlight the risks everyone takes when they step on the ice.