Kaleb Dahlgren is ready for the next chapter in both his hockey career and life.
The 20-year-old Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor has committed to join York University in Toronto for the 2018/19 season.
Dahlgren served as an assistant captain with the Broncos, and was one of the 13 injured survivors in the horrible bus crash that claimed the lives of 16 people back on April 6th when the team’s bus collided with a semi-trailer on route to a game. Currently recovering from a fractured skull, six broken vertebrae in his back and neck, a puncture wound in his head and a brain injury, Dahlgren refused to let his spirit be broken, and wanted to carry out his dream of playing at the university level.
"Reaching this goal has always driven me on an off ice," he said. "However, it has taken on a new importance since April 6, 2018: to play hard and live life for my fellow teammates, for my coaches, including Mark Cross.
Cross, who coached at York from 2011 – 2016 before joining the Broncos as an assistant coach, was one of the 16 people that lost their life in the accident. Last summer, Cross suggested to York that Dahlgren should be on the team’s radar once he was finished his final year of junior eligibility.
"Kaleb is a remarkable young man who fits the type of character person we are recruiting here to York. He is a terrific student and very active in his community," said York head coach Russ Herrington told YorkULions.ca.
"Mark's recommendation and constant campaigning on Kaleb's behalf were a big reason why we had decided to make Kaleb an offer to become a Lion even before the accident."
In 48 games this season with the Broncos, the right winger finished sixth in team scoring with 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 48 games. A Type 1 diabetic, Dahlgren left midget hockey to join the Humboldt community where he launched Dahlgren’s Diabeauties, a fundraising program that helps local kids and young hockey players managing the disease.
"Kaleb is a remarkable young man who fits the type of character person we are recruiting here to York. He is a terrific student and very active in his community," said Herrington.
There’s still no timeline as to when Saskatoon product will joins the Lions as he continues to rehab from his injuries. But one he’s ready to get back onto the ice, Dahlgren will have a spot on the team, and will have many onlookers both in the stands and sky supporting every second of his recovery.
