Arrr! NHL and NHLPA be investigatin' claims o' a scallywag bein' left untreated for hours after takin' a shot to his mug!
2023-12-15
Arrr, me hearties! 'Tis a tale o' woe from the land o' ice! The brave Juuso Valimaki o' the Arizona Coyotes took a cannonball to his precious countenance, yet was left without aid for hours! Bring forth the ship's doctor, ye scurvy dogs!
The NHL and NHLPA are investigating a report that a member of the Arizona Coyotes was left untreated at a Dallas hospital after taking a puck to the face. Jusso Valimaki suffered a 93 mph slapshot to the mouth during a game against the Dallas Stars and was transported to a Dallas-area hospital via ambulance. However, upon arrival, Valimaki was reportedly left untreated for several hours and was even told to go to a hotel and return in the morning due to the hospital's focus on incoming trauma patients. Valimaki, accompanied by his wife and a Coyotes employee, had a hole in his mouth, significant internal bleeding, and lost three teeth, resulting in him being "unable to function."Five hours after his arrival, Valimaki finally received 55 stitches and was informed by doctors that if he had gone to a hotel, he could have died from asphyxiation due to his own blood. The NHLPA confirmed that it is jointly investigating the matter with the NHL. The hospital initially told Valimaki that he would have to wait two days for surgery, but the NHLPA intervened, allowing him to undergo surgery in the early morning hours. Stars doctors had advised that hospital surgery was necessary, and the team is cooperating with the investigation. Valimaki has since returned to the ice but continues to wear a face mask for protection.
This incident has raised concerns about the treatment of injured players in the NHL and the protocols in place to ensure their well-being. Both the league and the Coyotes have yet to respond to the allegations. The NHL and NHLPA will likely be looking into the hospital's handling of the situation and whether appropriate medical care was provided in a timely manner.