Two months ago Brent Headon was patrolling the blueline for the Grande Prairie Happy Trails Bantam A Knights.
Today he sits in a Calgary children’s hospital wondering if he will ever play the sport again.
Headon was seriously injured in a league game on November 19. He was first sent to the Edmonton Stollery Children’s Hospital before being transferred to Calgary.
He is suffering from a severe concussion.
Next Wednesday, Jan. 18, the Grande Prairie Storm will open the doors to the Canada Games Arena in an effort to help raise money to support the Heads Strong Foundation – which was organized in Headon’s name.
A special $15 game ticket for the Jan. 18th game, which pits the Storm against the Bonnyville Pontiacs starting at 7:30 p.m., has been created and $5 from each ticket will go towards the foundation – which is being used to offset family travel and rehabilitation for Brent as well as to help educate people in the Grande Prairie area about brain injuries (concussions).
“There has been an increase in concussions in hockey over the last couple of years,” said Storm business manager Don Moon. “We currently have two players out with concussions and have had several others over the last couple of years who have missed games because of concussions. This really hits home for the Storm.
“This foundation will help educate people about the problem and will, at the same time, help the Headon family as they work to get Brent better.”
Anyone wanting to purchase one of the $15 tickets can do so by stopping by OMG Cupcakes on 108 Ave. and 100 St.; Ernie’s Sports Experts on 116 Ave. and 100 St.; Alexander Forbes School; or minor hockey in the Coca-Cola Centre.
“Brent is a wonderful, determined and courageous young man,” said Mark Bamber, who organized the foundation. “With the help of his parents, his supportive family, and the community, Brent will walk again and is determined to play hockey again.”
There will be Heads Strong bracelets available for purchase at the game for a minimum $5 donation. Headon’s nickname is Heads. There will also be a puck toss for some great prizes including a wide screen TV.
“We have invited, free of charge, all minor hockey players to the game Wednesday,” said Moon, “with the hopes they will purchase a bracelet and a puck for the toss and help raise more funds. We ask all parents who are sending a child to the game on a free ticket to make sure they slip some money in their son or daughter’s pocket before they leave home.”
Minor hockey is sending ticket order forms to all teams and players are asked to wear their jerseys to the game. Parents, siblings and others involved with minor hockey teams can also order their $15 tickets using the same minor hockey order sheet.
Those who don’t want to be part of the fundraiser can get tickets at the Crystal Centre Box Office for the normal prices, but none of the money from those tickets will be given to the foundation.
“It is our hope anyone coming to the game will purchase a ticket at one of the four venues selling them or through the minor hockey order sheet,” said Moon. “All of the tickets are resaved seating so once people purchase the special event tickets they can just walk into the rink and avoid the Box Office lineup. We will have a table set up in the foyer before the game Wednesday with some of the $15 tickets made available, but by then there will be a limited number.”
Alberta Health Services will be at the game answering questions and providing information about head injuries. There is also a puck tossed planned with prizes including a wide screen TV.
Anyone wanting more information on the fundraiser can contact Moon at 780-505-0020 or email the Storm at thegpstorm@gmail.com