WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — Prayers are pouring in for a Holy Angels hockey player who was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday.
Senior captain Mason Garcia was rushed to the hospital after he hit his head against the glass in a scrimmage against Lakeville South on Saturday, according to his coach, Patrick Griswold.
"It's just heartbreaking, like those kids are like my kids," Griswold said.
Griswold said Garcia didn't have much strength in his hands and feet Saturday night but has started to regain movement in his legs and arms. He is not walking yet but was taken out of the ICU. He is still under trauma care, but an MRI was negative for a spinal cord injury, added Griswold.
The team was taking part in a preseason scrimmage against Lakeville South. After Garcia was taken off the ice, a prayer circle formed at center ice.
He's just the best. A true leader. A true captain," Griswold said of his injured player.
A GoFundMe has been created to assist Mason's family with ongoing medical expenses.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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