Thomas Larkin takes stand and gives his side in his trial over ending Daniel Paille's career
Thomas Larkin has taken the stand in his trial over a hit four years ago that ended the career of former NHLer Daniel Paille. Larkin, who still plays for Mannheim, the same team he was with when the hit on Paille happened, said not a day goes by that he doesn't think about the incident.
"What should have been a routine game has occupied my thoughts for the last four years," said Larkin in a Swedish courtroom.
"Immediately after that happened, I received several death threats against me and my family. They also contacted my wife and father. I've been suffering from mental health issues since this happened," said Larkin. "I have suffered from anxiety and depression and sought help from a psychologist. The accusations have really gone into my soul and affected me as a player, father and husband."
Larkin insisted the hit was unintentional and he never meant to hurt Paille.
"A player I respected very much then. I was and am a Boston fan, I was at the parade in 2011 when they won the Stanley Cup and Paille was part of the team," Larkin insisted.
Larkin told he prosecuting attorney that what happened "was in agreement with our sport."
"I have both seen and been exposed to worse in hockey. I do not think I did anything wrong. My attitude to what happened has never changed. This was an accident. A collision in a game that happens and happens all the time."
Paille, who was drafted 20th overall in 2002 by the Buffalo Sabres and spent six seasons with the team before moving on to Boston, is seeking around $600,000 USD in damages for the hit. The judge in the case will also determine whether Larkin should be convicted of criminal assault. Paille gave his full thoughts on the incident earlier Tuesday, which you can read here. The hit took place in a Champions Hockey League tournament game while Paille was playing for Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.
You can view the hit, which Paille states has left him with symptoms that will never go away, below.
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brandon Hagel | - | 5 | 5 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Nico Hischier | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Macklin Celebrini | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jakob Chychrun | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Will Cuylle | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Lars Eller | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jake Guentzel | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alex Iafallo | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Ivan | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Simon Edvinsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Morgan Frost | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Miro Heiskanen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 22 | 18 | 4 | - | 36 | |
Devils | 24 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 31 | |
Wild | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 | |
Golden Knights | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 30 | |
Capitals | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 29 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Flames | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 20 | 13 | 7 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||