The New England hockey community is unfortunately all too familiar with serious, life-changing injuries, whether it be Boston University’s Travis Roy in 1995, Norwood High’s Matt Brown in 2010, or the Boston Pride’s Denna Laing in 2015.
The community has also shown it knows how to rally to a cause and support those who need it, though.
While the full extent of the injury suffered by Bishop Feehan High School player A.J. Quetta is not yet known, the outpouring of love and support has been immediate and widespread.
Quetta crashed headfirst into the boards during a game Tuesday night. His parents relayed to The Greg Hill Show that his first surgery on Wednesday night went well, but that there is still a long road ahead. On a GoFundMe page they set up, they wrote that Quetta “might not be able to move his body again.”
That GoFundMe has already raised over $320,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The Greg Hill Foundation has also raised over $80,000 for Quetta and his family during a fundraiser that took place during Thursday morning’s show. Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations as part of the fundraiser.
The Bruins released a statement from the team sending their support to Quetta on Wednesday, and forward Charlie Coyle and coach Bruce Cassidy both discussed Quetta’s injury and the community’s response when meeting with the media on Thursday.
“You never want to see it happen,” Coyle said. “Unfortunately it does sometimes. I think the big thing is the hockey community just rallying around when that happens. You see so much support. A.J. and his family aren’t alone by any means. We’ve got so many people behind them, supporting them, helping out as best they can, and sending well wishes. We know he’s going to pull through and be great. I hear he’s a strong kid as it is, and I know the family is as well. We’re behind him. I know a lot of people are. It’s just great to see support when tragedy strikes. We know there’s brighter days ahead.”
“My kids play, right. It’s always your biggest fear, that something will happen, in any sport,” Cassidy said. “I don’t know what to say other than we wish him a speedy recovery and all the best, and get healthy. I’m glad the Bruins and the hockey community, that’s something that this area’s known for, is rallying behind these situations. We saw it with Travis Roy, the Ice Bucket Challenge [for Pete Frates], you can go right down the list, Denna Laing.
“I think the hockey community has always been that way. It’s a tight-knit group. Anything the Bruins can do for A.J., we will do. I saw it on the news this morning, the GoFundMe page, people are contributing, anything to help the family. They’re going through a tough time right now, but like I said, hopefully the medical news will be good for him.”
The Bruins have been wearing "TR24" emblems on their helmets this season in honor of Roy, who passed away in October and who dedicated his life to raising awareness and money through his Travis Roy Foundation for those who had suffered spinal cord injuries.
UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon, the Bruins pledged a $100,000 donation to benefit Quetta. The Bruins will also be auctioning off game-used sticks with all proceeds benefitting Quetta, and will be donating all proceeds of 50/50 raffles held Feb. 1-6 to help Quetta.