On purpose? Why is his leg so high even after he got hit?
Video
Former NHL player dies after ‘freak accident’ in English hockey league game
https://rumble.com/v3snjkh-former-nhl-player-dies-after-freak-accident-in-english-hockey-league-game.html
Absolutely intentional.
He was off balance after that glancing Check. He was going down towards the right and his left leg automatically went up to get back his balance.
I know my hockey playing was when I was young but I had some really weird balancing and flying acts happen while playing on the ice. I saw many of them as well.