Travis Roy, the hockey star from Yarmouth, Maine who became paralyzed just 11 seconds into his first action on the ice for Boston University on October 20, 1995, can add another honor to his list of achievements.
Nearing the 20-year anniversary of the career-ending injury, which he suffered at the age of 20, Roy was honored by the Boston Bruins on Monday.
Before their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the TD Garden in Boston, Roy was signed to a one-day contract by the Bruins.
He also dropped the ceremonial puck before the game, which received a huge ovation from the hometown crowd along with players from both teams.
Watch the puck drop ceremony here:
Since the life-altering injury, Roy has dedicated his life to helping others with spinal cord injuries. In 1997 he started the Travis Roy Foundation, which, from its website is “dedicated to enhancing the life of individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families by providing adaptive equipment and finding a cure through increased funding of research, resulting in self-reliance and the ability to be as independent as possible.”
Last month, the Bruins also donated $50,000 to Roy’s foundation.
Other honors for Roy, who played for Yarmouth High School and North Yarmouth Academy before graduating at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts, include NYA naming their ice arena the “Travis Roy Arena” in 1998 as well as retiring his jersey number 00, and Boston University retiring his number 24 in 1999.
Maine’s annual award for the top boy’s high school hockey player is also named in his honor.