Yahoo Finance Former NHL defenseman Scot Kleinendorst dies due to injuries from workplace accident
Former NHL defenseman Scot Kleinendorst died Tuesday from injuries he sustained during a workplace accident. He was 59.
Kleinendorst — who played eight seasons in the NHL — sustained brain trauma and broken bones at UPM Blandin paper plant in Grand Rapids, Minn. The incident took place Dec. 7.
Despite doctors’ best efforts, Kleinendorst was unable to recover from those injuries. Kleinendorst’s daughter, Kelby Kleinendorst, posted an update on Caring Bridge on Tuesday saying the situation was “extremely hard” on the family.
“Anyone who knows Scot knows he is a tough, proud, loving, self-sacrificing and no-nonsense kind of guy. He was fearless in so many ways and cared more about everyone else than he did himself. Making the decision to let Scot pass was extremely hard, because of the unspeakable grief and unfillable void we now have to endure.”
Kleinendorst started his NHL career in 1982, when he was drafted by the New York Rangers. He played two years with the team before joining the Hartford Whalers. Kleinendorst spent his final season and a half in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. He played his final NHL game in 1990.
Details regarding the workplace accident at the UPM Blandin paper plant have not be released. The incident is under investigation.
———
Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
More from Yahoo Sports:
