Matt Dionne | Editor-in-Chief
Featured Image: York has assured Dahlgren he can join the team whenever he has recovered from his injuries. | Courtesy of York Lions
Kaleb Dahlgren isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet.
Despite suffering a fractured skull, a puncture wound in his head, a brain injury, and six broken vertebrae in his neck and back in the bus crash that shook the nation in early April, Dahlgren plans to return to the ice.
Last Friday, Russ Herrington, head coach of the York University Lions men’s hockey team, announced the team had signed Dahlgren for the 2018-19 season.
The 20-year-old hopes to begin his Lions career in the fall, but that will be dependent on how fast he recovers from his injuries—York has assured him he will be able to join the team when his body is ready.
Sixteen were killed and 13 were injured on April 6 when the Broncos’ team bus collided with a semi-trailer in Saskatchewan. Among those who were killed was Mark Cross, a former Lion alumnus and assistant coach for the Broncos.
“Reaching this goal has always driven me on and off ice,” said Dahlgren. “However, it has taken on a new importance since April 6, 2018: to play hard and live life for my fellow teammates, for my coaches, including Mark Cross.
“I will honour their legacy in all I do as I carve my own path forward at York, on the ice and off.”
Dahlgren was highly recommended by Cross, which was part of the reason he was on Herrington’s list of potential recruits. “Kaleb is a remarkable young man who fits the type of character person we are recruiting here to York. He is a terrific student and very active in his community,” said Herrington.
“Mark’s recommendation and constant campaigning on Kaleb’s behalf were a big reason why we had decided to make Kaleb an offer to become a Lion even before the accident.”
Part of the reason Dahlgren chose to move to Humboldt and join the Broncos was so he could start a program called Dahlgren’s Diabeauties, which provides support for local kids living with diabetes—Dahlgren himself has type 1 diabetes.
Injuries aside, Dahlgren had a great year with the Broncos in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He was named assistant captain at the start of the year, and he finished sixth on the team in points with 32—10 goals and 22 assists.
