Player dies of cardiac arrest after hit with hockey puck at Community First Igloo

A 64-year-old Gainesville man suffered cardiac arrest and died Tuesday night after getting hit in the chest with a hockey puck at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville. 

An officer responded to the ice rink, located at 3605 Philips Highway, around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday to assist Jacksonville Fire and Rescue with a cardiac arrest patient. JFRD began CPR on the victim, who was still unconscious and wearing his hockey uniform. 

According to a witness, the victim was hit in the chest with a hockey puck while playing goalie. According to the Community First Igloo site, the man plays for the Kraken Beers. They were playing the Fireballs Tuesday night. 

After getting hit with the puck, the witness said the goalie complained of feeling unwell and left the game. He collapsed near the stands and bystanders began CPR. 

JFRD took the man to the hospital where he later died. His family told police he did not have any preexisting health conditions.