Wow. This is one of those one-in-a-million type things.
I think there is such a thing as a slashing penalty, along with high sticking, etc.
This sounds like a crazy freak occurrence turned tragic. RIP.
A few say it was on purpose - time will tell if the other guy is or not guilty.
Yep, but one in a million might cause them to get rid of the blades and go to wheels!
Skate blade to the neck during a game similarly killed a 16 year-old in Connecticut coming up on 2 years ago.
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/teddy-balkind-hockey-player-death-mandatory-neck-guards/
Rare but not unheard of.