Hockey community rallies around Ethan Glynn, teammate paralyzed during football game
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Bloomington Jefferson High School student Ethan Glynn is back home after spending several months at a Colorado rehabilitation facility.
Ethan, 15, suffered a severe injury during a football game last fall that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.
“The amount of progress he’s made and we’ve come terms with as a family was a big shift in a short period of time as well,” said Corey Glynn, Ethan’s dad. “He’s got a little bit of movement in his right arm.”
In the days since Ethan returned to Minnesota, he’s joined his Jefferson Bantam AA hockey teammates in cheering along the glass at their games.
Ethan was the team’s captain last season, and he’s played hockey in the association since he was a little kid.
Ethan Glynn returns to Minnesota to visit some of his hockey friends. Glynn has spent several months at an out-of-state rehabilitation center. (Glynn family)
Now, Ethan’s recovery has captured the spirit of the hockey community, even beyond Minnesota.
“Heartbreaking for not just Ethan, but also for the family itself, so that touched me right away,” said Marty Richardson, who runs DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation.
The Colorado-based nonprofit is helping coordinate a pond hockey tournament for next month in Prior Lake.
As of posting, there still are openings for teams to sign up; CLICK HERE for more information.
“This is a lifetime type thing, and we want to make substantial difference with this one,” Richardson said in reference to fundraising.
Corey said getting back to the rink to see the hockey families they’ve known for years has been some much-needed therapy.
“To feel that type of love and that type of support, it’s been nothing short of amazing,” Corey said.
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