The NHL and NHLPA and reportedly investigating a gap in protocol that led to Coyotes' Juuso Välimäki without care for hours in a Dallas hospital.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are investigating a gap in protocol which resulted in Arizona Coyotes defenseman Juuso Välimäki lingering in a Dallas hospital for hours without care last month after taking a 93 mph slap shot to the mouth which required facial surgery.
Seravalli wrote that upon initial observation, a ‘overworked’ Dallas hospital told Välimäki to find a local hotel and return in the morning due to more critical incoming trauma patients including gunshot victims.
“We can confirm that the NHL and NHLPA are jointly investigating this matter,” an NHLPA spokesperson told Daily Faceoff.
Välimäki reportedly was in need of immediate care as his face was bloodied, had a hole in his mouth and internal bleeding while he was ‘unable to function’ according to Daily Faceoff.
Despite being told by Stars doctors that surgery was necessary, Välimäki was told his injury couldn’t be surgically addressed until Thursday, two days after the incident occurred.
He ultimately had the surgery at 2 o’clock in the afternoon the following day after the game, 12 hours after receiving 55 stitches to stop the bleeding. After the surgery was completed, Välimäki returned back home to Arizona.
According to Seravalli, the handling of Välimäki is a concern in the Coyotes locker room and that players have reportedly asked: Would our counterparts in the NFL, NBA or MLB be treated the same way and just dropped off at the hospital?
The NHL has now met with both the Coyotes and Stars and received information on the situation from the NHLPA per Seravalli.
“The Dallas Stars are aware of the incident involving Arizona Coyotes defenseman Juuso Valimaki and are fully cooperating with the NHL and NHLPA in their investigation,” the Stars said in a statement to Daily Faceoff. “The team will have no further comment at this time.”
The Coyotes have not made any sort of public comment regarding this ongoing investigation, but according to sources linked to Daily Faceoff, the Coyotes acted with care and concern. Välimäki was also reportedly pleased with Ariozna’s care and actions.