What more should be done to protect hockey players?

The death of a 16-year-old minor hockey player in Edmonton raises new questions about the sport's safety - and risks.

Kyle Fundytus, 16, died in hospital Sunday after being hit in the throat by a puck during a hockey game in Edmonton Saturday. (South Side Athletic Club)Kyle Fundytus died after being hit in the throat by a puck while blocking a shot during a Midget Double-A game Saturday afternoon.

Shot blocking is still relatively rare at the bantam and midget levels, though is much more prevalent in the NHL.

Kyle was wearing a neck guard at the time of the incident. The guards, compulsory in Canadian minor hockey, are meant to protect players from being hit by a stick - but are not designed to protect against a puck.

Betty Schmilar, president of Hockey Edmonton, told CBC News the tragedy was a "freak accident."

But do you think such accidents might be preventable? Why or why not? Are changes to equipment or rules needed for player safety? Or is there just an inherent risk to playing hockey that we can't do anything about? Let us know what you think.



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)