Former Olds resident and Humboldt Broncos player Graysen Cameron -- one of 13 people injured in last spring's Humboldt Broncos bus crash -- says he's getting better, and his transition to coaching and living on his own is going well.
Sixteen people were killed and 13 injured in a collision between a semi-trailer and the Humboldt Broncos team bus which occurred April 6 about 200 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
Three vertebrae in Cameron’s back had to be fused.
As a result, his promising career as a hockey player was over. So this spring, Cameron accepted a position as an assistant coach with the AAA midget Red Deer Optimist Chiefs. He played on that team from 2015 to 2017 before joining the Broncos.
Cameron moved to Red Deer and has been in his new job for about three weeks now.
During an interview with the Albertan, Cameron was asked how the transition from player to coach has been going.
"It's been good. It's been a different kind of transition I guess from previous years, going into the hockey season," he said, "but no, it's cool to see the other side of the game and learn that side of it."
By the "other side of it" Cameron said he's now working on preparing for practices and games.
Essentially, Cameron says his role is to be "kind of a liaison between the coaches and the players and assisting in drills and just critiquing on the side, that kind of thing; basically help the players."
At 19 years of age, Cameron is not that much older than the kids he's coaching and serving as liaison for. (Midget age is 15-17).
He sees that as an advantage.
"I think it's beneficial for them because they know I can relate to what they're going through and I've been through what they've been through; just playing on the team and playing for the coaches, the same coaches," he said.
"I didn't want to leave the game and yeah, it's beneficial for me as much as it is for them. They're helping me out as much as I'm trying to help them out," he said.
Cameron is happy to be back on the ice.
"It feels like I'm back at home again," he said. "It just gives me somewhere to be during the days. It's something to look forward to every single day, just getting on the ice and stuff like that."
Several weeks ago, Cameron and his family travelled up to Edmonton where he was introduced to Chase, a dog being trained to be his service dog. Cameron expects to receive him in about six months.
Cameron concedes six months is a long time to wait.
"He still needs some time to train," he said. "It'll be worth it in the end. When I get him, he'll be just an exceptional dog. So he'll help me in all areas of life pretty much, so yeah, I've just got to be patient."
Cameron said the adjustment from living at home to living on his own in Red Deer is going well.
"It's basically the same as living out last year, but I don't have a billet this time, so I'm all by myself," he said. "But I've got tons of support here in Red Deer: former players I've played with and friends and all that kind of stuff, so it's been a pretty smooth transition I can say."
Cameron misses being a player but said he's making the adjustment.
"I definitely miss playing and you know, being in the room with the guys and that kind of stuff. But I can't really complain about where I'm at right now. I've got a pretty good opportunity here so I'm going to make the best of that," he said.
He said his recovery is going pretty well.
"It's definitely improved since summer. It's not like it was before, that's for sure, but I'm on my way to getting better. I'm getting there."
