It has been a bizarre day for the Nashville Predators as they prepare to face the Minnesota Wild this evening, as general manager David Poile was taken to the hospital after taking a puck to the face, and TV broadcaster Pete Weber was also admitted following a heart attack.
First up, David Boclair at the Nashville Post:
The long-time voice of the franchise was taken in an ambulance from the team hotel. Broadcast partners Terry Crisp and Stu Grimson were with him. His wife, Claudia, was en route from Nashville.
Weber confirmed the heart attack in a text message and indicated that he is comfortable and out of danger at this time.
Fortunately, Pete is at least up and tweeting:
Thanks to all for your wishes! Resting comfortably in St Paul, close to Tom Reid’s bar!
— Pete Weber (@PeteWeberSports) February 6, 2014
For tonight’s game, the Predators have announced that Willy Daunic will step into the TV play-by-play role, while Milwaukee Admirals broadcaster Aaron Sims will handle the radio call alongside Stu Grimson.
David Poile struck by Shea Weber pass
Secondly, during the morning skate an errant puck hit Poile in the face, causing him to head for repairs as well. The Tennessean’s Josh Cooper and the Star Tribune’s Michael Russo live-tweeted the events:
David Poile apparently got hit in the head with a puck during morning skate at the Wild
— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) February 6, 2014
Paramedics in #preds locker room; David Poile hit by puck at skate. He walked and sat self on stretcher; black eye, bloody nose, groggy
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) February 6, 2014
Poile was rolled out of the #preds locker room on a stretcher. Seemed alert which was good. Sitting up. Just an unreal scene here …
— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) February 6, 2014
Poile was in hallway not even on bench. Players were passing boards to boards and a Weber pass ricocheted off blade into David’s face #preds
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) February 6, 2014
Trotz said it was above the eye, and hoped there was no eye damage. Said “it was a rocket” that hit Poile while he was in the tunnel
— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) February 6, 2014
Didn’t seem to be a ton of concern from the #preds, which hopefully means Poile is OK. Weber was standing over him as he was wheeled out
— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) February 6, 2014
Poile being taken to local hospital #preds
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) February 6, 2014
UPDATE: The Predators have announced that Poile will “remain in the hospital overnight for observation and evaluation.”
Obviously, we wish both gentlemen a speedy and full recovery. Poile is due to head over to the Olympics soon in his capacity as the GM of the American mens hockey team, so stay tuned for an update on his situation on that front.
