One of our own Braden Pettinger suffered a severe injury while playing the game he loved. On November 12th in a game against the Winnipeg Blues, Braden fell awkwardly in to the boards while battling for the puck. The fall was a freak accident as Pettinger was not hit, but his head made contact and the newly acquired defencemen playing in his first game as a Terrier suffered damage to his spinal cord that has resulted in paralysis.
Pettinger a 20 year old from Elgin Manitoba was a recent acquisition from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. His uncle spoke to the team on behalf of the family at their parent billet night and said that Braden felt at home in Portage instantly and was happy to be part of the Dog Pound.
“When the team was first told of the news, everyone was shocked. It was something none of us were expecting. The room was quiet and it was really tough to think about what had just happened to Braden” said Terriers captain Brad Bowles. “It was hard watching a friend and teammate go through a situation like this. We are all hoping and praying that he has a full and fast recovery. We want Braden to know that every time we step on the ice we are going to be playing for him. He is still a part of this team and will always be a Portage Terrier.”
“Braden was only a part of the team for a few short days, but from what I heard from the Wayway guys is that there was no better teammate out there.” – Assistant Captain Brett Orr “Braden loved to have a good time on and off the ice and he was one of those guys that always had your back, which is why I was really looking forward to getting to know him better. It’s just unbelievable luck and circumstance.”
The Pettinger family has expressed how overwhelmed they are by all the community support they have received. The Terriers have also received an out pouring of concerned emails and phone calls on behalf of Braden and his family. At this time a fundraising initiative has been launched by the MJHL Officials in the form of a go fund me page for Braden. https://www.gofundme.com/77ag2dq4