Athletic trainers perform life-saving CPR to save 20-year-old player’s life on the ice

On Saturday night at the accesso ShoWare Center in Washington, a frightening moment unfolded for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Defenseman Joe Gramer was rendered unconscious for over two minutes after a hit sent him crashing head-first into the boards.

In an instant, a team of people in the arena sprang into action, preventing what could have been a tragedy. According to the Thunderbirds staff who spoke with Scott Wheeler of the Athletic, the response was a coordinated effort from multiple angles: athletic trainers, staff, and even the players themselves.

Tom Orr, the Thunderbirds’ athletic trainer, was watching from the bench when Gramer was hit. Within seconds, he raced across the ice, clearing a path through the scrum, and immediately checked Gramer’s breathing. Recognizing the agonal breathing pattern, a near-death reflex, Orr raised his fist, the WHL’s universal signal for emergency help.

Other staff members quickly joined, including Winterhawks’ trainer Rich Campbell and the Thunderbirds’ ice crew, as paramedics arrived within a minute. Chest compressions were performed at center ice, while players knelt nearby, watching and supporting each other in the tense moments.

“They are performing CPR. Oh my goodness. They’re doing chest compressions on Joe Gramer right now at center ice,” Thunderbirds play-by-play announcer Thom Beuning said on the broadcast.

Gramer’s father, Rob, happened to be at the arena and was allowed into the tunnel, where trainers continued assessments of his son’s neck, extremities, and movement. Nearly three minutes after the hit, Gramer, who is just 20 years old, regained consciousness, disoriented but responsive, insisting, “I’m fine, I just want to play.”

The game resumed after the team regrouped, with Seattle ultimately winning 5-3, but the focus remained on Gramer and all the heroics that saved his life. The incident highlights not just the risks of hockey, but the extraordinary professionalism, courage, and rapid decision-making of the trainers and staff who acted without hesitation to protect a young athlete.

Gramer is now in the WHL concussion protocol and is expected to make a full recovery. He signed with the Thunderbirds on Jan. 7 after playing two seasons collegiately as a defenseman at Nebraska-Omaha, and has netted one goal in five games played.

I’m so glad Gramer is doing well and recovering. So glad someone like Tom Orr was there that day.

Competence saves lives.