Update on Kootenay Ice Forward Tim Bozon and more

Tim Bozon (Kootenay Ice)

The WHL issued an update on the condition of Kootenay Ice forward Tim Bozon who is currently in a Saskatoon Hospital trying to recover from Neisseria Meningitis. The word is a bit promising as you will read.

Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon Health Region provides the following update on the condition of Kootenay Ice hockey player and Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon at the request of his family.

Tim Bozon remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon after being admitted on March 1 with Neisseria Meningitis. He remains in ICU however doctors have indicated his condition remains critical but stable and improving. He has been in an induced coma since being admitted to the ICU but doctors are now working to slowly wake him. His family has indicated that Tim has responded to verbal stimuli.

Tim’s parents, Philippe and Helene, have been overwhelmed by the e-mail and social media messages from people around the world showing support for their son. The family is very appreciative and will respond sometime in the near future. The family also wants to express thanks to the doctors and staff at Royal University Hospital for the care Tim has received.

There have been many enquiries from individuals and organizations wanting to make donations to assist the family during this difficult time. The Western Hockey League (WHL) has established a trust fund to assist the Bozon family with medical and rehabilitation costs as insurance coverage is limited. Details regarding the “Tim Bozon Trust” will be released later this week.

The family appreciates the media’s interest in Tim and in helping to educate the community about meningitis. They do not wish to provide any interviews at this time and will coordinate updates to media, when appropriate, through Saskatoon Health Region communications

Please Read

The reports on the death of Saginaw Spirit Terry Trafford are in and the results are that Trafford took his own life. Neate Sager of the Yahoo Blog "Buzzing the Net" writes a powerful call for the OHL to evaluate their mental health strategy but I think all of junior hockey whether it is major junior, junior A or Junior B needs to look at this.

If anyone believes that Terry Trafford was the only junior player who suffered from depression then they are just kidding themselves. We have to make it safe for a young player to be able to reach out for help without worrying about the "old school" crap about hockey players need to tough it out. Help a teenager today could prevent another tragedy tomorrow.

Game Action

Just 2 games in the OHL on Thursday evening featuring 2 New York Islander and 1 New York Ranger prospect as we get ready for the final weekend of the CHL regular season. Victor Crus Rydberg (NYI 2013 5th) was scoreless as his Plymouth Whalers fell to the Owen Sound Attack 2-1.

The loss locks the Whalers in the 8th seed for the first round of the OHL's Western Conference playoffs but for the Attack who are in 7th place pull to within 1 point of idle Saginaw who will be playing 3 games in 3 nights starting Saturday.

Troy Donnay (NYR 2013 UFA) was scoreless and a -1 while teammate Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) was scoreless and a +1 as their Erie Otters edged the Windsor Spitfires 3-2. The Otters having regained their winning ways have a 6 game winning streak going and with 2 games remaining hold a 3 point lead over the London Knights for 3rd place in the OHL's Western Conference standings.