Home
World
Canada
- BC
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Thunder Bay
- Sudbury
- Windsor
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- NB
- PEI
- NS
- NL
- North
Politics
Health
Arts & Entertainment
- Music
- Film
- Television
- Books
- Media
- Art & Design
- Theatre
Technology & Science
Money
Consumer Life
Diversions
Weather
Your Voice

13-year-old fan killed after hit by puck at NHL game

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 | 2:12 PM ET

CBC News

A 13-year-old girl died in hospital Tuesday, three days after being struck in the head by a puck during a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames.

Brittanie Cecil, who would have turned 14 on Wednesday, was hit by a shot early in the Blue Jackets' 3-1 victory.

It is believed to be the first time a fan has been killed by a flying puck in the 84-year-old history of National Hockey League.

Brittanie Cecil is tended to after being hit by a puck

The puck came off a slapshot that was deflected by a defenceman, then sailed over the end glass into the stands at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

The Blue Jackets, in a statement released on Tuesday, said the club was "deeply saddened by the tragic accident."

"Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Brittanie's family and friends during this time of anguish," the statement said. "Our fans mean the world to us and this loss has had a profound effect on the entire Blue Jackets family."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also expressed grief at news of the accident.

"Our fans are our family, and this tragic accident fills us all with a deep sense of sorrow," Bettman said. "We extend heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and friends on this day of profound sadness."

NHL spokesman Frank Brown said he could not recall any other fan being killed by a puck at an NHL game.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Video

CBC Newsworld Morning's Colleen Jones talks to Tom Harrington, host of Sports Journal, about the death of Brittanie Cecil
CBC Newsworld's Nancy Wilson talks to Nick Hildebrand, whose son was killed by an errant puck, and Emile Thieren, president of the Canada Safety Council

World Headlines

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved: Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa has dissolved parliament, setting the stage for new elections a day after authorities arrested Gen. Sarath Fonseka, his chief rival and the leader of the opposition.
Avalanches near Afghan capital kill over 60: Avalanches in a mountain pass north of Kabul have killed at least 60 people, injured about 400 and left 1,500 stranded on blocked roads, Afghan officials say.
Haitian man pulled from rubble: A 28-year-old man has been pulled from rubble in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, claiming to have been trapped there since the massive earthquake on Jan. 12.
Taliban town in NATO crosshairs: U.S. forces, backed up by Afghan army troops and their Canadian trainers, began a preliminary operation Tuesday in advance of an expected offensive to take the largest Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan.
Honda recalls 378,000 cars for airbag defect: Honda Motor Co. is adding more than 378,000 cars to a safety recall for airbag inflation problems.

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
Health costs push Alberta budget deficit to $4.75B: Alberta's Progressive Conservative government is projecting a record $4.75-billion budget deficit and planning cuts in many departments while increasing health-care spending.
Ottawa to appeal injection site ruling: The federal government is asking the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal a lower court ruling that sanctioned Vancouver's supervised drug injection site.
Haitian man pulled from rubble: A 28-year-old man has been pulled from rubble in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, claiming to have been trapped there since the massive earthquake on Jan. 12.
Tories need plan for isotope shortage: Ignatieff: Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused the Conservative government of having no plan of action to deal with a medical isotope shortage expected to worsen later this month.