Ryan Straschnitzki might be paralyzed from the chest down, but he isn’t giving up his dreams of playing competitive hockey.
The Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor was back out on the ice just three and a half months after the horrific accident and is working on his sledge hockey skills in hopes of one day making it to the Paralympics.
Straschnitzki was out on the ice along with his father, Tom, and retired Team Canada sledge hockey star Chris Cederstrand.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports from May, Straschnitzki explained that he wants to stay involved hockey, no matter the variation of the sport.
"I just want to get back on the ice, whether it's sledge hockey or coaching or scouting…I just love being on the ice, so anyway I can do that is awesome."
During the crash, the 19-year-old suffered a spinal injury, broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a punctured lung and internal bleeding inside his head and pelvis. He was transported to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia last month to rehab the injuries.
He’s now returned home to his family’s home in Airdrie, Alberta, where he’ll continue to rehab and try his hand at sledge hockey.
"Really it’s been a goal of mine to wear the Canadian flag on my chest at some point in my life, Straschnitzki told Bill Graveland of The Associated Press in late June.
In September, a fundraiser called "Cowboys 'N Sleds" will be held on the 15th and 18th at Calgary's Canada Olympic Park to raise money for the StrazStrong Foundation and STARS Air Ambulance. You can order your tickets below.
Do our country proud, Ryan, we’re all pulling for you!
