The fatal incident took place in a game between Minnesota North Stars and Oakland Seals on Jan 13, 1968. North Stars forward Bill Masterton was checked by Oakland players Larry Cahan and Ron Harris. He fell backwards onto the ice, and his head hit the ice. He was lying on the ice motionless. When his teammates rushed to his aid, he uttered his last words, "Never again. Never again". He lost consciousness soon after.
Masterton sustained a massive brain hemorrhage. He never regained consciousness, and died in the hospital on Jan 15, 1968. He was the only player who died due to an injury in an NHL game.
