Earlier this month, an on-ice hero became a real-life hero after saving the life of an NHL employee.
Tony Furcak, currently a scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning, was in the press box at the Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings game on January 4 when a tragic situation suddenly occurred.
TMZ Sports reported that a league employee began turning “purple” after choking on a piece of pretzel.
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Tony Harkak, No. 18 of the St. Louis Blues, skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, March 9, 1989. St. Louis defeated Toronto 4-1. (Greig Abel/Getty Images)
Furkak then came to the rescue by performing the Heimlich maneuver and extracting the food.
According to TMZ Sports, the employee requested anonymity.
Hrkac played 12 seasons in the NHL with the Blues, Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche), Sharks, Blackhawks, Stars, Oilers, Islanders, Ducks, and Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets) before joining Dallas in 1999. Won the Stanley Cup.
Tony Furcac, No. 28, of the Quebec Nordiques skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Maple Leaf Gardens on January 3, 1989 in Toronto. Toronto defeated Quebec 5-4. (Greig Abel/Getty Images)
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Harkacz retired after the 2004-05 season, but returned in 2009 and played parts of two AHL seasons.
Hrkac starred at the University of North Dakota in the 1980s, winning a national championship in 1987 and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He was also named Division I Hockey's top hockey player that season.
Atlanta Thrashers No. 12 center Tony Furcak plays against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Air Canada Center in Toronto on October 31, 2002. The Maple Leafs and Thrashers tied 3-3. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI)
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Just two weeks after winning the college title, he made his NHL debut in the playoffs. He was selected in the second round (32nd overall) in the 1984 NHL Draft and played in 758 games, recording 132 goals and 239 assists.
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