Kamloops Blazers’ Kyrell Sopotyk paralyzed in snowboard accident
Posted January 25, 2021 11:35 am.
Last Updated January 25, 2021 11:36 am.
KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) — The hockey community is rallying behind a young player for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers who was paralyzed while snowboarding over the weekend.
The GoFundMe for 19-year-old Kyrell Sopotyk aimed at covering his medical bills has raised more than $96,000 by Monday morning, less than 24 hours after it was launched.
“On the weekend of January 23rd, 2021, an unfortunate accident has left an amazing friend, hockey player, son and brother paralyzed,” the fundraiser author writes.
The Western Hockey League has issued a statement on Kamloops Blazers forward Kyrell Sopotyk.
STATEMENT ???? | https://t.co/i0Dlc0nsWq pic.twitter.com/XtZal8cdoC
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 25, 2021
Tim O’Donovan, director of hockey operations for the Blazers, calls Sopotyk the ultimate teammate.
“It’s really devastating for him, his family, for our organization, for our players, his teammates. He’s just a tremendous kid,” he tells NEWS 1130.
“I think everybody’s struggling with it because Kyrell is the ultimate teammate in a lot of ways. The way he plays the game, he leaves it all on the ice and he cares for others.”
The fundraising page has far exceeded its goal of $50,000 for possible accessibility renovations to the family home and healthcare costs.
While the shock of Sopotyk injury is still setting in, O’Donovan says, he explains he isn’t surprised by the amount of support Sopotyk and his family are receiving.
“Hockey is a family, and I think Junior hockey is a family,” he says.
Sopotyk, who is from Saskatchewan, joined the Blazers in the 2018-19 season, scoring 45 points over his two seasons with the club.
