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By Earl Seitz

Kyrell Sopotyk

Outpouring of support for Kyrell Sopotyk following devastating injuries in a snowboarding accident

Jan 25, 2021 | 4:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers forward Kyrell Sopotyk is in hospital in Saskatoon with what is described as “a life altering injury.”

The 19-year old from Aberdeen, Saskatchewan was injured in a snowboarding accident at Table Mountain near Saskatoon.

He is reported to be paralyzed from the waist down.

Sopotyk has undergone surgery —- it’s expected to be some time before the long term effects of the paralysis is known.

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In two seasons with the Blazers Sopotyk had appeared in 107 games, scoring 22 goals and 45 points. It’s the work ethic personality of the 19-year old that has made him popular with teammates and fans.

“He’s kind of jokester — he’s funny.” says teammate Orrin Centazzo. “There’s never a dull moment with him.”

“You can’t take things lightly.” says teammate Montana Onyebuchi. “Anything can happen at any moment. When we get the season going we’re just going to play for him. Hope he gets better —he’s in our thoughts.”

“Kyrell is an incredible teammate and high quality person.” says Blazers General Manager Matt Bardsley. “He comes from a great family.”

Family friend Kathleen Zary has set up a gofundme page, to raise money to help support any possible renovations, healthcare costs, and any additional support the family may need.

As of mid afternoon on Monday more than $100,000 had been donated.

“You set that tiny little goal. I set $10,000. That would be fantastic if we hit $10,000.” says Kathleen Zary. “Here we are —- we’ve hit ten times that. The fact that we’ve got to this total this fast says a lot about the family that everybody is supporting.”

“You know we have had a lot of support from within the league.” says Blazers General Manager Matt Bardsley. “A lot of member clubs that have reached out. Even clubs in the NHL have reached out as well.”

In November of 2019 Sopotyk was injured when he was the victim of a check from behind. It kept Sopotyk out of the Blazers lineup for two months.

He was able to recover and returned to the lineup.

The future now is much less certain.

The gofundme page will remain open indefinately.

To contribute it’s gofundme.com.

Click on Help out the Sopotyk family.