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| FORMER REDMEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN HOCKEY GAME
Former Redmen Kyle Paul was seriously injured on Saturday 14 Feb 2004 in what was supposed to be his glorious exit to his career on the University of Oklahoma Sooners hockey team. Paul was paralyzed for a few minutes after a crushing hit at center ice during the final game of the season against Colorado State Buffalos. Paul was skating at center ice when he looked down to take a pass in his feet from a teammate. As he looked up the opposing player collided violently with Paul. His head snapped back as he crumpled to the ice face up motionless for several minutes while on site emergency personnel looked after Kyle. He was conscious during the whole affair but was unable to move any body part. Eventually Paul was taken to a local hospital for testing and observation. The force of the hit gave Kyle�s opponent a grade 3 concussion and 20 some odd stitches in the facial area as they spent time at the same hospital. For the newspaper account of the event click here. An MRI revealed that bone spurs from previous injuries had caused bruising to his spinal cord as a result of the hit, causing the temporary paralysis. Kyle�s parent flew down from Saskatchewan on Tuesday 17 Feb the same day Kyle was released from hospital. Kyle was able to walk out of the hospital wearing a collar and having limited use of his arms. He has about 85% range of motion in his right arm and about 5% in his left arm. Doctors have stated that there is no permanent damage and that Kyle will recover completely. The recovery process will be long though as doctors have said it can take anywhere from 2 � 18 months to get back to normal. Despite the serious scare Kyle is up beat and looking forward to getting back on the ice next year as the Assistant Coach of the Sooners Hockey Team. Right now however, he remains at home in Norman, Oklahoma healing. For those of you who wish to pass along words of encouragement you can e-mail Kyle by clicking here. |
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