James Malatesta expresses remorse after putting Jared McIsaac in the hospital.

Malatesta expresses remorse for his terrible hit.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
James Malatesta expresses remorse after putting Jared McIsaac in the hospital.
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

On Sunday night the Detroit Red Wings faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a scrimmage that was just a normal part of development camp for both organizations. Unfortunately instead of being just your normal scrimmage, the game quickly turned ugly when Red Wings prospect Jared McIsaac was seriously injured after a terrible looking hit from behind. That hit came courtesy of Blue Jackets prospect James Malatesta, an 18 year old who was drafted just a few months ago.

The hit was an ugly one, not catching McIsaac from behind but making the back of his head the primary point of contact as well. Even more disturbing however were reports that McIsaac, who the Red Wings confirmed lost consciousness as a result of the hit, lay motionless on the ice for an uncomfortable length of time according to several eyewitness accounts.

As you can see in this replay, Malatesta appears to see McIsaac's number the whole way. In spite of this fact however he chooses to deliver the hit anyways, leaving McIsaac out cold on the ice as a result.

Following the game reporters were quick to ask Malatesta about the hit and, according to those who saw him speak, he appeared to be very emotional when giving his response.

"I was just going in on the forecheck and I saw him get it and he was climbing up and I just went down and at game speed things happen fast and he kind of turned and I tried to move out of the way but I got him there. I just hope he's ok," said Malatesta with tears in his eyes.

"I'm not that type of player. I don't go out on the ice having intentions to hurt anyone. I've seen those things happen but to be the one to do that I was just going and praying that he was going to be OK and get up. My intentions weren't to hurt him or anything like that."

Given that Malatesta is such a young man I genuinely want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but watching the replay it is hard to view this as anything other than a predatory hit. I will say however that we have only one angle of the hit, and it isn't the clearest video I've ever seen by any stretch of the imagination.

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