Olds resident Graysen Cameron is confident he has a good shot at making his old junior hockey team, the Humboldt Broncos, this year.
On April 6, 2018, 16 people were killed and 13 injured -- including Cameron — when a semi trailer collided with a bus carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos and others on their way to a playoff game about 200 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
In Cameron's case, three vertebrae in his back had to be fused.
It was believed that, as a result, his promising hockey career was over. So last year, Cameron accepted a position as an assistant coach with the AAA midget Red Deer Optimist Chiefs. He had played on that team from 2015 to 2017 before joining the Broncos.
But the dream to play hockey again was too strong, so Cameron decided to give it his all in an effort to do that. Broncos training camp begins Aug. 24.
"I just got cleared pretty much and made the decision to give it a shot, I guess," he said during an interview with the Albertan.
In preparation for his tryout, Cameron, 20, spent lots of time working out with Calgary Flames trainers.
Cameron was asked if he was a little concerned about whether he'd have the mobility he used to have.
"I played lacrosse this season so that was a kind of tester for me and that worked out just fine," he said.
He's confident he can take a hit again.
"No issues there. The back's fully healed now," he said.
Gary Gaudette, manager of the Mountain View Lacrosse Association and business manager of the Olds Grizzlys junior A hockey team, believes Cameron has a good chance to make the Broncos lineup.
"I believe he does; he is in great shape and has been working hard," Gaudette said in an email.
"His heart is set on making the team so with the determination and the love of the sport I do believe he has a strong chance. He seemed to not have missed a beat playing lacrosse and fit right in."
