RICHFIELD, Minn — Twelve days ago, Holy Angels hockey captain Mason Garcia suffered a traumatic brain injury after enduring a hit into the boards during a pre-season scrimmage.
First responders rushed him to Regions Hospital.
“I was conscious the entire time, even though I couldn’t feel anything or move,” Garcia said. “The uncertainty of whether or not that would be what the rest of my life would be like, that was pretty scary. But I knew I couldn’t accept that. And I had to kind of fight through that.”
Despite doctors telling him he may need to wait until December to leave the hospital, Garcia committed himself to grueling sessions of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, which helped him recover much quicker than anticipated.
Garcia left the hospital earlier this week on Tuesday – just in time for the Holy Angels home opener against Spring Lake Park on Thursday night at Richfield Ice Arena.
The senior captain did not play, but he accompanied his team into the locker room and cheered them on from the stands just above the bench. Although he moves slowly, Garcia is already back on his feet walking and has regained his major functions.
“I am very grateful for where I am. I know a lot of people that were in my position, going through the things I went through, aren’t this lucky,” Garcia said. “They’re not back walking, not out of the hospital yet, not able to move. I recognize that I am very lucky with this situation.”
His presence provided an immediate boost for teammates like Henry Lechner, a fellow captain for Holy Angels.
“I think it motivates the boys to go even harder, because he wants us to. He’s going to be here supporting us and cheering us on,” Lechner said. “Hockey and life are given to us, and it can be taken away from us very quickly. You’ve got to cherish every moment, and you’ve got to work hard every moment, because you don’t know when it will be your last.”
Holy Angels head coach Patrick Griswold, who has coached Garcia all through high school, said the captain’s role will not change moving forward.
“The only thing is, he just won’t be on the ice with us. He’ll be in the locker room before and after the game, he’ll be at every practice,” Griswold said. “Still one of our captains and leading our team.”
As Garcia continues his physical therapy and recovery process, he said he’s hopeful to get back onto the ice whenever possible.
Until then, he’s focusing on how to support his teammates from the bench.
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