A Two-time Olympic hockey player for Finland, has been left paralyzed from the chest down with limited function in her arms and hands after crashing into the net during a recent game for her Swedish club team.
The accident occurred when Sanna Hakala, captain of HV71, was taken down in the offensive zone by a player for Djurgården last Friday.
The 26-year-old was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery on Saturday to repair damage to her neck.
In a sad Instagram post, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist announced she would no longer be playing hockey before dropping a hint that she may be forced to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
‘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,’ Hakala wrote. ‘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.’
In its statement, the club says Hakala now has a lengthy recovery ahead of her.
‘I understand that I am now facing a long and hard fight with my body and the toughest game of my life,’ Hakala added.
‘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***ing awesome.’
Hakala has been playing organized, high-level hockey for Team Finland since 2013, when she broke in with the Under-18 squad.
She has since won bronze medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and in 2022 in Beijing. In 2019, she and Team Finland took second at the World Championships.
