TRAGIC LOSS: The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has learned that 3 ice hockey players were killed by a chemical produced by the Frank Zamboni group of companies and …

April 23, 2025 — Zurich, Switzerland

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is mourning the loss of three professional ice hockey players who died earlier this week after being exposed to a chemical reportedly linked to a product distributed by the Frank Zamboni Group of Companies.

The players — identified as Erik Nilsson (Sweden), Jake Murphy (Canada), and Viktor Orlov (Russia) — were part of an off-season training camp in Davos, Switzerland, when the tragic incident occurred late Monday evening.

According to preliminary reports, the players were inside a maintenance garage where ice resurfacing equipment was stored. Officials now believe that a malfunctioning ice resurfacer, recently serviced and fitted with a new chemical coolant blend, began leaking a toxic compound into the enclosed space.

The compound, believed to be a new variant of “Z-Coolant 47,” was developed as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional refrigerants but had not yet received full approval from European chemical safety regulators.

Emergency services responded after a staff member noticed the players unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts, all three were pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital.

The IIHF released a statement Tuesday morning, calling the loss “a devastating blow to the international hockey community,” and has vowed to launch an independent investigation alongside local authorities and environmental health agencies.

Frank Zamboni & Co., the California-based manufacturer of the iconic Zamboni ice resurfacing machines, has not released a formal statement but confirmed it is cooperating fully with authorities. In an internal memo leaked to Swiss media, executives expressed “profound shock and sorrow” and emphasized that the coolant was “not intended for distribution outside of controlled testing environments.”

This tragedy has raised serious questions about equipment safety regulations and oversight in professional sports environments, particularly as manufacturers push for greener technologies in response to climate mandates.

Memorials are already being planned in all three players’ home countries. Fellow athletes and fans worldwide have taken to social media to express condolences, using the hashtag #SkateInPeace.

Further updates are expected as investigations continue.