Canadian hockey community comes together to support player who suffered tragic on-ice accident

EDITOR'S NOTE: It should be noted that the author of this story, Trevor Connors, is a local to the area in which this tragic accident took place. However, Trevor has no personal connection to Michal Habetin other than they both happen to play hockey in the same local leagues. Trevor is not involved in the Go-Fund Me campaign that is referenced within the article and in no way benefits financially from sharing this story with the hockey world at large.

Last Friday, January 9th Michal Habetin was doing what he does every Friday: Just playing hockey with the boys.

On this Friday though, something happened that would change his life and the lives of those around him forever.

Habetin, a local house builder on BC's Sunshine Coast, was playing a pick up game when he accidentally collided with an opponent at high speed. His teammates and opponents rushed to provide him assistance. Incredibly, there were two doctors and a physiotherapist on the ice with Habetin that night who reportedly did incredible work under extremely trying circumstances to stabilize his neck until paramedics arrived. Habetin was then flown by helicopter ambulance across Howe Sound to a hospital in Vancouver.

Doctors determined that Habetin had suffered a severe spinal injury and he underwent major emergency surgery to fuse C3 - C5 vertebrae. While the surgery was successful, Habetin has no feeling below his shoulders. Doctors are hopeful that he may regain movement in his hands eventually, but walking or skating again seems very, very unlikely.

He remains under medical treatment and has been communicating through yes/no nods and via a letter board, a common medical tool used by non-verbal individuals and individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries like Habetin.

Habetin's first message to doctors was to ask them for exercises to improve his condition:

"P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E"

Was his first message to those around him.

How great is that? He's lying in a hospital bed lucky to be alive and his focus is on improving himself and getting after it.

That's a hockey player right there.

Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman turned Sportsnet broadcaster Kevin Bieksa highlighted Habetin's story earlier this week and the support from all corners of the hockey world has been incredible.

Additionally the Coastal Tsunami, a Junior hockey team based out of Gibsons, BC on the Sunshine Coast, have dedicated their home game on January 31st in Habetin's honor. The team will hold a silent auction with proceeds going toward Habetin and his family.

Tickets for the game can be purchased at coastalhockey.ca

If you can, support Habetin and his wife Taryn Beauvais at the Go-Fund Me link below.