These New England High School Hockey Players Define TEAM
This is nothing any parent wants to see. Actually, nevermind just a parent, it's nothing any human should want to see, but especially a parent.
A couple of weeks ago during a hockey game, Bishop Feehan High School player, AJ Quetta, crashed into the boards. It's something that happens countless times during every hockey game ever played, and normally the game just goes on as if it didn't even happen, really.
NORMALLY. Unfortunately, this time, it was anything but normal.
According to WCVB Channel 5, AJ crashed so hard into the boards that he bashed his head (helmet-protected, thankfully) against the boards, causing a major spinal cord injury that required excessive surgery to repair. AJ crushed the surgery without issue and was recovering a Mass General Hospital until a couple of mornings ago, when he was transported to Atlanta to begin extensive rehab.
And that's where the awesomeness of his team really shines through. Not that they haven't been supporting him the entire time during this whole ordeal, but they took it to the next level on Tuesday morning.
Didn't his ENTIRE TEAM show up to make sure he knew he wasn't just forgotten about, but still loved and supported on his way to Atlanta. They even gave him the Honor Guard treatment with their hockey sticks while he was wheeled out of Mass General to be transported down to Atlanta. And honestly, that's how it SHOULD be.
That's the great thing about high school athletics, too. It bonds kids from all different backgrounds, social statuses, and in-school "cliques" that perhaps wouldn't associate otherwise. I'm not saying this is the case with this team, but the fact they all showed up to support AJ and let AJ know that he truly does have an Army behind him is HUGE. And they were also there showing their gratitude to Mass General for taking such great care of AJ.
Look at that sign -- "Thank you MGH for taking care of our brother AJ." OUR BROTHER. Like I've said countless times -- nobody looks out for their own like New Englanders, and these kids get it.
AJ has not only gotten backing from his team -- his brothers -- but also support from the Boston Bruins and others. Collectively, according to CBS Boston, over $900,000 has been raised to help AJ. If you want to help or keep up-to-date with AJ's recovery (or both), you can check out the AJ's Army website that's been set up.