AN ICE HOCKEY star has been left paralysed from the chest down after an on-ice collision into a goalpost.
Sanni Hakala was captaining HV71 in a Swedish Women’s Hockey League game against Djurgardens last Friday when the shock incident occurred.
The Finnish player collided with the post during the game and was taken off the ice on a stretcher as the match got postponed.
Hakala was rushed to University Hospital in Linkoping and underwent surgery.
However, that was unable to prevent her from being paralysed from the chest down while her arms and hands are at a reduced function.
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Hakala has now posted an emotional statement on her Instagram that says: “It is still hard to understand what has happened, that the crash into the goal post was as serious as it was, that the consequences have become so big.
“Not only that I am forced to stop playing hockey, something that has been a big part of my life for many years, but that I may be forced to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.
“The injury I sustained last Friday after colliding with the goal post has left me paralyzed from the chest down, with reduced function in my arms and hands. That’s the reality I’m trying to land in.”
Hakala continued: “I understand that I am now facing a long and hard fight with my body and the toughest game of my life.
“Now I need to focus all my energy on the rehabilitation so that I can recover as well as possible.
“Therefore, me and HV71 will not leave further comments regarding my injury or situation and I ask you all to show consideration and respect for me and my family.
“This situation obviously sucks, but I’m not scared to take it on. I don’t know what I’m going to do next, but I know it will be f*****g awesome.”
Hakala was known as one of the most promising women’s hockey players in Europe after coming through the ranks to make her international debut for Finland.
She won bronze medals at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and Beijing, where she won two bronze medals and added a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships to her collection.
Hakala had penned a new long-term deal with HV71 in April to extend her stay with the club into its eighth year.
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Her devastating news comes after a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson.
The Nottingham Panthers forward, 29, died after he was struck by an ice skate in a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave in October.
Johnson suffered a gash to the neck in the collision at the Utilita Arena on October 28, before he died of his injuries hours later.
