By Andy Clayton
New York Daily News
SWITZERLAND — Swiss hockey player Ronny Keller was left paralyzed after being driven head first into the boards during a playoff game on Tuesday night in Switzerland.
Keller, 33, suffered “permanent spinal paralysis” after the hit from Stefan Schnyder according to Swiss Paraplegic Centre doctor Michael Baumberger, The Associated Press is reporting.
The defenseman for the second-league team Olten was treated on the ice and airlifted to the hospital that specializes in spinal-cord injuries. He had surgery for damage to his fourth thoracic vertebra. In a statement, Baumberger said the veteran hockey player did not sustain head or brain injuries. Keller, who has played 15 pro seasons in the Swiss league according to HockeyDB.com, was racing back into his zone for the puck with the Langenthal player during the overtime session when the injury occurred.