THE Connecticut high school hockey player who died earlier this week in a tragic accident has now been identified.

Teddy Balkind, a tenth grader at St Luke’s School in New Canaan, died after his neck was slit open by a skate while he was on the ice.

During a game Thursday night, Balkind fell on the ice and while he was on the ground, another player who was near him who was unable to stop in time, collided with him, according to officials.

The game was immediately stopped and Balking was rushed to Greenwich Hospital where he died from his injuries, cops said.

Mark Zuccerella, Captain of the Greenwich Police Department, said that “gameplay was stopped and 911 was called.” Brunswick medical staff treated Balkind prior to being transported to a local hospital, where “tragically, he did not survive the operation.”

Balkind’s dad was at the game between Bruswick School, an all-boys college prep school in Greenwich, and St. Luke’s School, a co-ed private school.

Students at St Luke’s School, along with their families, gathered together Friday evening to pay their respects.

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“It’s horrible. It’s really bad,” said an 18-year-old student named Calvin. “I feel like it’s just like an outreach of, I don’t know, sympathy.”

The school had been closed during the day due to the snow.

 “Yesterday, we lost a precious young man in a tragic accident,” St. Luke’s School said in a statement to students, seen by CBS 2. “Both St. Luke’s School and Brunswick School are in shock as we work to support our students and families. St. Luke’s singular focus at this moment is to care for our devastated community.”

Brunswick School said in a statement: “Tragedies such as this are hard to process and impossible to understand. We will do all we can in the coming days and weeks to help and support those in our community and in the St. Luke’s community.”

Stars from the ice hockey world have been paying tribute to Balkind since the horrifying news broke.

"The hockey world is hurting over the tragic loss of Teddy Balkind yesterday," tweeted Kevin Shattenkirk, a member of the U.S. Olympic team and current Anaheim Ducks defenseman.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the young players from St. Luke's and Brunswick and especially the Balkind family. Rest In Peace Teddy #SticksOutForTeddy."

Anaheim Ducks player Adam Henrique tweeted: "Sad to hear about the tragic loss of Teddy Balkind. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Balkind family. #sticksoutforteddy."

Cam Atkinson, who plays forward for the Philadelphia Flyers, tweeted: "I'm heartbroken for the Balkind family and everyone who knew and loved Teddy. 

"We're sending our love to the St. Luke's and Brunswick communities. A horrible tragedy playing the game we all love."

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