A former Edmonton hockey player who broke his neck during a college game in the U.S. appeared publicly for the first time since the October 30th game.
Jesse Martin currently plays with the University of Denver and has been recovering in hospital for the past 17 days. He has since been moved from a Minneapolis hospital to Denver where he'll undergo extensive rehabilitation. He says he feels very fortunate.
"I'm feeling like one of the most grateful people on the planet right now. I can't even express how humbling this experience has been for me just as far as walking through the hospital and seeing people with similar injuries as me and seeing how differently this could have gone," he said.
The 22-year-old former Spruce Grove Saint and member of the St. Francis Xavier High School hockey academy was playing against the University of North Dakota when he was body-checked.
Martin suffered three fractures of his C2 vertebrae. The six-foot-two player took the hit hard and was knocked unconscious. He initially did not have any feelings in his arms or legs.
The young man underwent surgery last Monday to put a screw into his vertebrae.
A few days later, he was able to walk on his own.
The 22-year-old admitted he doesn't know if he'll ever play hockey again, but is committed to staying focused on his recovery.
Martin will continue to wear a head and neckbrace for another four to six weeks. He is hoping to be released from hospital next Thursday.
