In the blink of an eye

Hitch and I had lunch today with a gentleman, and his son, who was confined to a wheelchair due to an injury suffered in a 'beer league' hockey game. He was playing in a 'C' league with his son and his nephews for fun and some exercise until one shift and his life changed forever.

He said he was on the forecheck and the sensation that he felt was that the guy literally picked him up and threw him to the boards. After that, he blacked out and woke up unable to move his legs and very limited use of his arms and hands. That happened in May of 2006. To this day, the guy who changed his life forever hasn't called or attempted to make any contact with him whatsoever.

His son Tom, said he saw the guy at another random pickup game several months later and just about went crazy. He told the guy that he better get off the ice or he isn't quite sure what he is capable of doing. I don't blame him.

It was both inspiring and heartbreaking to have lunch with these two guys. The were thrilled to be having lunch with Hitch and talking blue jackets hockey with the coach and you could tell how excited they were, but I couldn't help but to be somewhat distracted with how in the blink of an eye, his life has changed so much.