Ex-Sharks Player Saves a Life

Tony Hrkac won the Hobey Baker Award in 1987 and a Stanley Cup in 1999, but all that might pale in comparison to what he accomplished on Jan. 4 at Crypto.com Arena.

The 57-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning scout, according to TMZ, saw an NHL employee “choking and turning ‘purplish’ while eating” in the pressbox during a match-up between the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings.

Hrkac gave the Heimlich maneuver to the choking person, who ejected part of a pretzel. After that, the choking person began to breathe normally.

Hrkac was an original member of the San Jose Sharks, skating during their 1991-92 expansion campaign. The centerman scored two goals and 10 assists in 22 games in teal.

In February of that season, the San Jose Sharks traded Hrkac to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 1993 sixth-round pick.

A 1984 St. Louis Blues’ second-round pick, the University of North Dakota star played for the Blues, Quebec Nordiques, San Jose Sharks, Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Atlanta Thrashers.

He retired with 132 goals and 239 assists in 758 games over 13 NHL seasons, hoisting a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999.

Hrkac has worked as a Lightning scout since 2015.

Per TMZ, the league employee didn’t wish to be identified.