'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAANHfIf/EACEQAAAEBQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABQcREgYTIUF0/9oACAEBAAE/AFqYosnrRvLildEVG6++fkC9YjYICk2mbBmo+y9Ssf/EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAgBAgEBPwBSf//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAgBAwEBPwB0f//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ex-NHLer Stéphane Veilleux shares his experience recovering from near fatal car crash
Stéphane Veilleux played 506 NHL games for the Minnesota Wild and other teams, amassing 50 goals and 106 points. He has avoided serious injuries over 10 NHL seasons and 17 years of professional hockey.
On June 19, 2024, Stéphane Veilleux suffered a serious car accident in Saint-Georges, Quebec. A teenager ran a stop sign and hit his car, breaking Veilleux’s C1 vertebra. He was fitted with a halo vest to stabilize his neck.
The halo vest limited Veilleux's daily activities, like avoiding moving his neck, sleeping, or playing with his kids. Despite these challenges, he remains positive about his recovery.
"I'm lucky to not be paralyzed ... or worse," he told Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Veilleux is supported by his ex-wife Amy, who has been by his side during this difficult time. His children also help with his care. Veilleux stays active with light exercises, following his doctors' advice carefully.
“Got to feed those bones,” Veilleux said. “I’m trying to support myself with calcium and magnesium and all the natural stuff to heal. No different than when I played hockey with eating and being disciplined... I’m attacking this like a hockey player.”
Stéphane Veilleux is determined to heal and return to coaching hockey.
"I'm going to be a fighter. There is no room for self-pity," he added."Life is hard, but I'm built to be strong. And I will heal."
Two Months after Stéphane Veilleux's accident, another claimed Johnny Gaudreau's life
Almost two months after Stéphane Veilleux's accident, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died in a biking accident.
It happened on August 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. A suspected drunk driver, Sean M. Higgins, allegedly hit them while they were biking. The Gaudreau brothers were in town for their sister's wedding.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and was a seven-time NHL All-Star. He was known as "Johnny Hockey" and was loved by fans and teammates. Matthew Gaudreau, 29, also played hockey and was a high school coach.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy... Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey," CBJ said in a statement.
The deaths of Johnny and Matthew have saddened the hockey community. The Gaudreau family, including Johnny's wife Meredith and their children, and Matthew's wife Madeline, are grieving. They have asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Trending
