Devils GM Opens Up About Son's Near-Fatal Skate Injury

Tom Fitzgerald is detailing one of the scariest moments of his life.

Approximately three months have passed since the tragic incident where Casey Fitzgerald, captain of the AHL Hartford Wolfpack, was injured by a fellow hockey player’s skate and cut in the neck during a game. Now, the general manager of the New Jersey Devils is looking back on this experience to ensure no other players have to endure such an ordeal in the future.

Tom, now part of a safety committee for skate blades, shared in an ESPN interview on March 19 that the situation was challenging. He expressed his hope that no other parents would have to experience what he did, as it’s difficult to grasp without personal experience.

During a game against their rivals Providence, Casey sustained a neck injury in the middle of a play on the field. At first, the 28-year-old was unaware that he had been injured as a teammate informed him that his neck was bleeding. Consequently, he was quickly removed from the playing area. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald, who was watching the game on his phone while having dinner with his wife at a restaurant, had no idea about the gravity of the situation at that moment.

Tom recounted, “All we received was, ‘The bleeding has been managed and he’s en route to the hospital,'” he said. “Upon arrival, a team of 12 to 14 individuals were ready for him. My wife was distraught, but I felt a glimmer of hope because he had remained on the ice. I wouldn’t wish that situation on any parent.

Casey fully recuperated following a neck injury requiring 25 stitches, and resumed playing hockey only a few days later. Yet, Tom underscored the potential severity of the situation, which is why he’s spent time enhancing safety measures including extra padding and guards to minimize future similar accidents like Casey’s.

Tom conveyed to ESPN that we are incredibly fortunate. At an annual general manager meeting, he expressed his sentiments by saying, “My main point was simply, ‘Inform the players not to risk their parents experiencing something similar.’ It’s truly terrifying. Strive to provide as much protection as feasible because you’ll eventually stop playing and will have to live the remainder of your life. So, make an effort to live it wisely.

Keep reading for more celebrity health scares…

In a game played in December 2024, an AHL player got hurt when another player’s skate accidentally sliced him open. He required 25 stitches to heal. Later, when he was completely better, his dad, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, spoke to ESPN and said, “We consider ourselves fortunate. I wouldn’t want something like that happening to any parent.

Back in March 2025, I personally experienced a profound moment when my ex-spouse, Matt Kirschenheiter from Real Housewives of Orange County, endured a heart attack. Fortunately, he managed to overcome this life-threatening situation.

30 Rock’s main actor experienced a health emergency during a New York Knicks game in March 2025, resulting in his removal from Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on social media, explaining it was a matter of food poisoning and he was recovering well.

Back in February 2025, the former star of Even Stevens disclosed that she was accidentally shot in the face during a clay pigeon shooting excursion, which they organized to celebrate her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday.

She posted on Instagram, “Another group with us mistakenly discharged their firearm recklessly, striking me in the face. @thebrendanrooney swiftly intervened, evaluated my condition, and hurried me to the hospital. I was wounded in five spots, one being just a narrow miss from hitting my right eye directly.

The former star of “Kim Possible,” speaking further, said, “Regrettably, a piece became stuck near my eye, and it’s not safe to remove it surgically right now. However, doctors are keeping close tabs on me as I can see clearly for the time being.

In her own words, the actress expressed her profound gratitude for being alive. She shared her heartfelt sentiments, saying, “My daughters, husband, family, and friends mean the world to me.” She recalled a moment when she felt as if her life was passing before her eyes, emphasizing that seizing every opportunity to embrace those close to us is crucial. According to her, life can undergo dramatic changes in the blink of an eye.

Despite the internet often being unkind, Amy Schumer is grateful that this time it provided her with helpful insights. Recalling an episode of Call Her Daddy in January 2025, she said, “The internet was quite critical after my media appearances, but then doctors started commenting and suggested I might have Cushing syndrome.”

After receiving comments from doctors who suspected she had Cushing syndrome due to possibly elevated cortisol levels or steroid injections, Amy realized, “I’ve been getting steroid injections for my scars.”

“I’ve had a breast reduction and C-section, so I was undergoing these steroid injections,” Amy explained. “This condition, Cushing syndrome, was caused by the injections. If it weren’t for the internet’s relentless criticism, I wouldn’t have known about this.”

Now, Amy is relieved to know she’s okay. In a February 2024 News Not Noise newsletter, she wrote, “Learning that I have a type of Cushing syndrome that will resolve itself and that I’m healthy was the best news I could have hoped for.

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced the most terrifying moment of her life while having breakfast with her husband Justin Bieber. She suddenly started exhibiting symptoms similar to a stroke, causing her face to droop on one side and making it difficult for her to speak. Despite the temporary resolution of these symptoms, she was immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Upon examination, doctors discovered that Hailey had experienced a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), caused by a small blood clot in her brain. Further tests revealed that she had a hole in her heart known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This hole allowed the blood clot to travel from her heart, escape through the PFO, and reach her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey underwent a successful PFO closure procedure and is now reportedly feeling well. She shared her experience publicly on YouTube, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical attention in such situations.

In the same year Hailey encountered her health issue, Justin also faced one of his own. Specifically, in June 2022, the singer known for “Baby” revealed he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This condition affected certain areas of his face, leading to temporary paralysis and ultimately causing him to postpone the rest of his Justice World Tour. Justin explained on Instagram that the virus had affected the nerve in his ear and facial nerves, resulting in paralysis of one side of his face. He pointed out that he could not blink one eye, smile on one side, or move one nostril. The paralysis made eating difficult for him initially but eventually subsided. Hailey stated on a June 2022 episode of Good Morning America that Justin was doing well and feeling much better after the incident, although it had been a scary and unexpected situation. She added that she was grateful he was fine.

Initially guarding the specifics of his April 2023 hospitalization, Jamie Foxx eventually shared his ordeal. In Atlanta one day, he recalled experiencing a severe headache and asked for an aspirin. However, before he could get it, he fainted and lost consciousness for about 20 days.

Initially examined by a doctor who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home, Foxx’s concerned sister Deidra Dixon then drove him to a hospital where they discovered the cause: a brain bleed that resulted in a stroke.

Twenty days later, following surgery on April 24, the Academy Award winner regained consciousness on May 4, seated in a wheelchair and unable to walk. He was subsequently transferred to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

“All I can say is that I am grateful for every prayer,” he expressed, “because I needed every one of them.

Actress Emilia Clarke, famous for her roles in Game of Thrones, penned an essay titled “A Battle for My Life” in 2019. In the piece, she recounted a harrowing experience at the gym where she fell ill and was rushed to the hospital due to a severe headache. Upon examination, doctors discovered she had suffered a life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage, caused by an arterial rupture or aneurysm.

She underwent immediate surgery to seal the aneurysm and described the pain as “unbearable.” During recovery, she faced aphasia, speaking incoherently, but eventually regained full cognitive abilities. However, a subsequent brain scan revealed a growth had doubled in size, necessitating another operation. This time, doctors needed to access her brain through her skull.

Thankfully, Emilia is now reportedly fully recovered and healthy.

Cori Broadus, the daughter of musical icon Snoop Dogg, expresses her gratitude towards her family. This is after she experienced a severe stroke in January 2024, prompting her loved ones to quickly gather around her.

“I sent them a text and a picture saying I had just suffered a stroke,” she shared with TopMob News‘ correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024. “Everyone came to my aid.”

Due to additional health complications, Cori’s hospital stay extended beyond her initial expectations.

“I could have been discharged after the stroke,” she further explained from the set of Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story. “However, my lupus wasn’t responding well and my kidneys were failing. There was a lot happening.”

Fortunately, today, Cori is on the road to recovery.

“I’m doing well,” she stated. “I just needed to regain some motor skills, but aside from that, I was fine.

In the thick of my twenties, my health took an unexpected turn for the worse. It got to the point where I was losing my hearing, struggling to walk more than a few minutes without needing extended rest, and everything I ate seemed to upset my stomach. A confusing mix of symptoms and diagnoses left me seeking answers from various doctors.

Being raised in a holistic environment and studying herbalism, I decided to approach healing from multiple angles. I sought help from traditional medical professionals while also consulting independent healers. This quest for comfort in my own skin stretched over a decade.

During this lengthy journey, many other challenges surfaced due to the physical discomfort. I developed a fear of food, which led to mental turmoil, body dysmorphia, and self-identity confusion. Feeling safe in my own skin became a struggle, as I grappled with understanding what it meant for me.

After focusing on both my physical and mental well-being, I can now say that I’m feeling much better. The journey eventually resolved itself physically, leaving me healthy and happy to share this news.

2025-03-20 16:19

Devils GM Opens Up About Son’s Near-Fatal Skate Injury

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