Hockey player launches lawsuit after being paralyzed during game

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TJ Tucker
September 9, 2024 (2:52 PM)

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Hockey player Mike Glemser has launched a lawsuit against Jan-Niklas Pietsch after a hit during a game broke two vertebrae and left him paralyzed from the neck down

A hit during a hockey game in Germany that happened in February of 2023 has led to a civil lawsuit in the German courts. Mike Glemser was playing for the Rosenheim Star Bulls when he was hit into the boards by Jan-Niklas Pietsch of Riessersee SC. After initially saying it wasn't Pietsch's fault, Glemser is now suing for what amounts to around $1 million USD.

The hit can be seen in the video below. Pietsch knocks Glemser into the boards behind Glemser's own net, with Glemser falling to the ice immediately and being unable to move.

Glemser's lawyers want Pietsch to be deemed responsible for Glemser's paralysis, and for all future damages that stem from it. Pietsch's lawyers are arguing that would create a dangerous precedent for all contact sports in Germany.

"A ruling in favor of Glemser could have an impact on other sports. Then, fouls in sports such as ice hockey, football or handball, which lead to punishments such as time penalties or expulsions during the games, could be interpreted as physical assault afterwards."

This has always been a sticky area for sports, and hockey in particular, where big hits are very much part of the game. When does one cross the line between fair play and assault, and who gets to make that decision?

Pietsch and Glemser were actually teammates for a while as both played for the Hannover Scorpions in the 2020-21 season. Glemser has been confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Fans and players organized a GoFundMe for the injured Glemser which raised close to $800,000 USD.