Students at Rothesay High School have come together to support an up and coming youth athlete who suffered a devastating injury last weekend.
Last Saturday, 15-year-old Max Arsenault, skilled hockey player and competitive kayaker, fractured his neck in a snowboarding accident at Poley Mountain ski hill.
“When I first heard of it I really didn’t think it was true. Max is such a strong kid, I never thought anything could happen to him and he is so close to us and this team,” said Red Hawks hockey teammate, Kevin Marcolin.
While his parents sit by his bedside, his hockey teammates have rallied in support of their youngest player.
The Red Hawks coach, Lawrence MacDonald says the team has never played with more heart than they did during their final regular season game Monday night.
“We dedicated the game to recovery of Max,” he said. “The athletes went out on their own and they got stickers made with Max’s initials – ‘M.A.,’ – and his number – 19 – and they fixed them to their helmets.”
“All the game we just stuck together and played out hearts out for him,” Marcolin said.
“It was kinda sad in the dressing room, he was very much in our minds, foremost in our minds” coach MacDonald added.
Winning for Max
Wearing the stickers like badges of honour, the team not only won that game, but they pulled off an 8-1 victory.
“We knew we had to win that game for Max, it was not an option, we knew we had to win it,” said teammate Colin MacDonald.
In a statement to Global News, Max’s parents said they are overwhelmed by the community’s support since the accident.
“The hockey game in Max’s honour was incredibly thoughtful and we look forward to sharing the photos and videos with Max. We thank everyone for their continuing support as Max starts on his road to recovery,” the statement reads.
They say Max had emergency surgery and remains in intensive care at the Saint John Regional Hospital. He is alert and able to communicate and they are now focusing on his recovery.
It’s still unclear how Max will recover from his injuries, but the team, soon headed to the playoffs, say they’re now determined to bring home the championship cup for Max.
“We will support him all the way. I hope he makes a full recovery and I hope he is back playing hockey someday too,” MacDonald said.
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