Jack Jablonski, Paralyzed High School Hockey Player, Surprises Teammates At Playoff Game

Paralyzed 16-year-old high school hockey player Jack Jablonski surprised his former teammates earlier this week at their playoff game, KSTP.com reported.

Jablonksi was left seriously injured -- and may never be able to walk again -- during an ice hockey game last December.

Now, determined to be positive, Jablonksi eagerly returned to the St. Louis Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis where the Benilde-St. Margaret's ice hockey team plays their games.

"It's home. It's what I've grown up doing," Jablonksi told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "It's second nature."

Coach Ken Pauly told players after they met Jablonski that the team "is whole tonight."

Jablonski's mother, Leslie, said the reunion was very emotional. "I think about the last time he was here and how he left. To see him come back in here now is a joy, but to see him in a chair, back in the rink, is really emotional," she told KSTP.com.

Jablonksi received an outpouring of support after his accident. Celebrities like Minnesota North Stars legend Lou Nanne visited the teen and the injury has resulted in a bigger conversation about amending the rules of youth hockey.

At the team's reunion, chaplain Mike Jeremiah referred to Shel Silverstein's book, "The Missing Piece." "Things are not perfect until that piece is returned. This is it tonight," the Star Tribune reported.

Comments

[tchoupitoulav1]

10:35 AM on 02/26/2012

Put a smile on my face.

[hopein2012]

02:39 PM on 02/27/2012

me too

[Onalaska]

10:27 AM on 02/26/2012

According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program:
In 2001, the number of sport-related injuries for each sport are as follows:
Gymnastics — 99,722
Basketball — 680,307
Baseball — 170,902
Softball — 118,354
Football — 413,620
Soccer — 163,003
Volleyball — 55,860
Track & Field — 15,113
Hockey — 63,945

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research Twentieth Annual Report:
From 1982-2002, the total numbers of direct and indirect fatalities among high school athletes were:
Baseball — 17
Basketball — 88
Cheerleading — 21
Cross Country — 14
Football — 22
Soccer — 31
Track & Field — 47
Wrestling — 16

[roger g]

10:48 AM on 02/26/2012

Thank You for posting--Quite an eye opener

[WhatWhat1]

04:48 PM on 03/01/2012

"Sport-related" injuries are often not reported. Baseball and especially soccer are notorious for that.

As far as "direct and indirect fatalities" goes, the fact that basketball an track & field lead the pack - by a good margin - indicates that the two categories (direct and indirect) need to be separated. I would posit that many of the basketball fatalities are related to undetected congenital conditions exacerbated by extreme cardiovascular activity, as opposed to collisions with other players or objects.

These stats really need to be parsed out an studied more deeply to get even a reasonable understanding of what they mean. That being said, it does lend some insight. Thanks for digging up the information and posting it for us.

[paulfiquet]

09:31 AM on 02/26/2012

hockey and american football...two extremely brutal " sports "???? many young persons with lifetime injuries and paralized at a young age...are parents guilty of accepting responsibility for their children's safety ?

[Onalaska]

10:22 AM on 02/26/2012

You might want to go back and do your homework before making such comments. Sports with the most injuires? Soccer and basketball. No protection. Sport with the most severe injuries.... cheerleading.

I agree hockey is a tough physical sport, and totally disagree with the fighting.

[capabilitybrowne]

08:29 AM on 02/26/2012

bittersweet...I hope for all the best for this young man.

[1differentdrummer]

06:43 AM on 02/26/2012

Went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out. Sorry, folks, that's gladiatorial. A heavy body check should send a kid off the ice for the rest of the game. One in a second game should be a season ender for him.

[Sistagirl Young]

04:23 AM on 02/26/2012

God bless this courageous young man. Life.

[cddenver]

03:47 AM on 02/26/2012

GOD BLESS THIS WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN!!

[ker22]

01:32 AM on 02/26/2012

I had the privilege of getting to know this family years ago. They are truly wonderful people and Jack's strength and positivity is absolutely amazing. He has a wisdom and attitude well beyond his years. Jack will end up doing great things with his life because of his humor, determination and strong family support.

[Danilo-11]

01:02 AM on 02/26/2012

That's why parents are moving away from hockey and football and making their kids play soccer

[1differentdrummer]

06:46 AM on 02/26/2012

Some think there's not enough blood in that. Locally we had a fine young man die after his second or third concussion in football. Dumb game, and I played it.

[kmcloonjr]

08:17 AM on 02/26/2012

Heading a soccer ball can cause head trama as well, and does have quite a few knee and leg injuries.

[Uncle Rico]

09:53 PM on 02/25/2012

What a studly kid.

[Tony Sanchez]

09:41 PM on 02/25/2012

One day at a time. Keep your spirit strong. Communicate. People need to know how they can help.

[Jon Wain]

09:12 PM on 02/25/2012

This kid got back on the horse and rode it. Wonderful story.

[hopein2012]

09:52 PM on 02/25/2012

So well said. He really did.

[roger g]

09:03 PM on 02/25/2012

Horrible video compared to the story headline--We all wanted to see the heartwarming surprise. Would have liked to see a teammate or two show some compassion rather than the poor guy sitting by himself in the upper deck---shame that this kid has to go thru this,hope he always keeps his spirit this high.

[ProudDem46]

09:54 AM on 02/26/2012

Roger G...you are absolutely right on! This news broadcast is the WORST MN. has to offer and proved it there.

[roger g]

10:54 AM on 02/26/2012

I teared up reading the headline--dried right up seeing that awful video.your station obviously needs a better editor.thanks for your comment.

[JerseyHooligan]

08:45 PM on 02/25/2012

Jack, please go to Germany and receive the stem cell treatments that may very well get you back on your feet. Staying in the religious wasteland that is the US for treatment is to be sentenced to life in a chair.. You are strong and brave, keep at it.

[luckeek7]

09:13 PM on 02/25/2012

Which religious wasteland?.... The one were pilgrims braved uncertainty and risked their lives to get to? Or perhaps the one where Quakers helped escaping slaves on the underground railroad by hiding them overnight? Or perhaps the one where only a couple of years ago an Amish community forgave the shooter that killed several of their schoolgirls?

[Derpwood]

09:40 PM on 02/25/2012

Yeah . . You really might want to find 3 different examples . .

[zero republic]

09:52 PM on 02/25/2012

What exactly do those examples have to do with medical progress? Seriously, what does something that happened centuries ago have to do with stem cell research? Because someone did something noble over 200 years ago means this country is immune to criticism? By now you've probably figured that I'm speaking rhetorically, and that your argument has no basis.

[Sean Kruz]

06:02 AM on 02/26/2012

Is stem cell treatment still illegal here? I thought they started it up? Or are they just doing trials?

[jamuelle]

11:33 AM on 02/26/2012

Didn't Payton Manning head out of the country for stem cell surgery on his shoulder or neck or something?

I think we are just in the research stage here. Well, while we have a Democrat in the WH any ways.

[MNJim]

08:00 PM on 02/25/2012

I usually read the Star Trib at the table while I am eating breakfast. I've been following the stories abt Jabby by ever since his hockey accident. There have been some real emotional points along the way.....the kind where I have to get up frm the table and find the kleenex box bc I can't see the paper anymore.

[hopein2012]

09:56 PM on 02/25/2012

Me too. At first I cried tears because of what happened but now I cry tears of joy because he is so strong and positive. If I can ever be half the person this young man is I will be in good shape. He is an awesome individual. He is going to go far in life. Jabby is a rock!