Sign Banner For Injured High School Hockey Player

(above) Fans will be able to sign this banner on Saturday night
DU fans attending Saturday night's hockey game against Alabama-Huntsville at Magness Arena will have an opportunity to send best wishes and thoughts to Minnesota high school hockey player Jack Jablonski.  Known as "Jabby" to his friends, the 16-year-old honors student, hockey forward and varsity tennis player at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School suffered a paralysing injury last week.  Two players rammed Jablonski from behind, smashing him into the boards, and he collapsed motionless to the ice.

According to reports his spinal column was severed at the C 5 level.  Jack had surgery on Wednesday to fuse his vertebrae was it was deemed a success by the doctors, but it also confirmed that his injury was horrific. Jack has limited mobility and no movement in his lower body. At this time it is believed that he will not be able to walk or skate. 

Last year University of Denver forward Jesse Martin suffered three fractures to his C2 neck vertebra, an injury that can often cause death or paralysis.  Jesse was able to undergo a remarkable recovery, although he still suffers from lingering physical issues including headaches and pain in his left arm.

The University of Denver community knows all too well about the trials and tribulations of these vertebrae injuries and it is hoped that signing the banner will share our support for the young man and his family in Minnesota.  The DU hockey team and staff will sign the banner first and then it will be available to the public before the game and between periods.

University of Denver Alum Miller Baird (DU '72) and his wife Debbie worked tirelessly to gather thousands of signatures on Jesse Martin's Banner last year and are spearheading Jack's banner signing this weekend.

5 comments:

Charlie said...

The following was copied from the Jack Jablonski CaringBridge.org journal on January 5, 2012.

Financial Support (Posted by a Friend of the Jablonski's)

At the urging of many of you, and with Mike and Leslie's support, today we established an account at Wells Fargo Bank, the JACK JABLONSKI FUND.
If you wish to donate something towards Jack's future needs, you can send your donations to:



Jack Jablonski Fund
P.O. Box 16387
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2618

You may also make your donations at any Wells Fargo Bank. Please mention
"Jack Jablonski Fund".

co_sports_girl said...

Any chance we could also get the banner at the Friday game also? We are Friday night season ticket holders, and won't be able to do it on Saturday.
Thanks.

miller said...

We only have tickets to the Saturday game. If someone would like to take on the resposibility to get it signed on Friday and then back to me, let me know

dggoddard said...

Its so great that Miller & Debbie are doing this again.

Just another example of PioNation stepping forward to help others.

Wish I could be there on Friday or Saturday to help gather signatures, but alas I'm stuck in Houston watching PioVision.

Charlie said...

If you're interested, Jack Jablonski updates can be found here:

http://www.hockeybias.com/hockey-news-past/Jack-Jablonksi-News-Summary.html