Boy, 11, dies after being struck in neck by puck at hockey practice in Saint-Eustache, Que.

An 11-year-old boy, who was in intensive care for days after he was struck in the neck by a puck at his hockey practice Tuesday in Saint-Eustache, Que., has died.

The city, a suburb northwest of Montreal, released a statement Friday morning announcing his death.

"We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones," the unsigned statement read. "All our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, teammates and the Saint-Eustache sporting community."

Local police published a similar statement saying they had notified the Quebec Coroner's Office, which would look into the causes and circumstances surrounding the boy's death. Officials have not yet publicly identified the boy.

"Tuesday evening, during hockey practice, an 11-year-old boy was accidentally hit by a puck while participating in a regular exercise," police said. "It is with regret that we were informed of the child's death."

Earlier statements from the city said a call to 911 had come in to emergency services at around 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Ambulances rushed to the Complexe Walter-Buswell on Arthur-Sauvé Boulevard, where the practice had taken place.

The boy was later transferred to an intensive care unit at a Montreal hospital, Saint-Eustache spokesperson Stéphanie Bouchard told CBC Friday morning before the city announced his death.

Psychological support is being offered to community members by the Laurentians regional health board, Hockey Québec and the city of Saint-Eustache.

The city has been shaken by the event, said Saint-Eustache Mayor Pierre Charron in a news release Thursday before the boy's death was confirmed.

"All of our energy is currently focused on supporting the community and the loved ones of families most directly affected by this situation. On my behalf and that of the municipal council, I send all my positive thoughts to this young athlete and his family," Charron said.

Jean-Philippe Labrèche, the president of the Saint-Eustache minor hockey association published a news release the morning after the accident.

"We understand the impact of this event on those who witnessed it, as well as on parents, volunteers and all those who support our young hockey players," Labrèche said.

He "strongly" encouraged those affected by the event to call 811 or Sport'Aide at 1-833-211-2433 for support.

The issue of safety in hockey has been in the foreground this fall, especially when it comes to neck protection.

In October, 29-year-old Adam Johnson, a professional hockey player, died after a skate blade cut his neck during a Challenge Cup game in Sheffield, England. His hockey club, the Nottingham Panthers, described his death as a "freak accident." He was not wearing a neck guard.

Marie-Joël Desaulniers, the director of communications and marketing for Hockey Québec, the body that oversees minor hockey in the province, said all minor hockey players are required to wear a complete equipment set, which includes a neck protector, every time they step on the ice.

But the equipment doesn't offer substantial protection against direct, hard impact, according to Trent McCleary, a former Montreal Canadiens player who in 2000 suffered a career-ending puck strike to the throat during an NHL game.

The hit fractured McCleary's larynx and endangered his life, he said in a phone interview Friday. He wasn't wearing a neck guard at the time of the injury, but said it likely "wouldn't have mattered" because a neck guard wouldn't have protected him from such a high-velocity slam.

"I don't believe that there's any neck protection that can protect from the impact," he said.

The Montreal Canadiens issued a statement Friday on their X account, saying the organization was saddened to learn of the boy's death. "Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."

She provided no information on the boy's team, or what level he played.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young Saint-Eustache hockey player who passed away earlier today," a Hockey Québec statement said. "We share the immense sadness of all those affected by this terrible tragedy and send them all our thoughts and support."

Someone left a bouquet of flowers outside the Complexe Walter-Buswell on Friday after news of the boy's death spread.

Valérie Cardinal, an athletic therapist for the Vikings des Laurentides, a high-level under-18 hockey team who play at the arena, said the community was united in its grief.

"We're all sad about this news," she said. "It's not common, this type of injury, but injuries are common playing sports."

Isabelle Charest, Quebec's minister responsible for sports, leisure and the outdoors, said there were no words to describe the tragedy.

"I am devastated to learn of the death of the young hockey player," she said in a statement. "I offer my condolences and thoughts to his family, friends and teammates."