Lethbridge hockey player out ofICunit
An Alberta player with the Western Hockey League who was seriously burned while hanging out at a backyard firepit is out of intensive care.
Family of Ryan Vandervlis say the Lethbridge Hurricanes player is fully alert and has been transferred to the Foothill’s Medical Centre burn unit.
He is able to whisper and communicate through texts.
The 20-year-old centre with the junior team suffered burns to half his body last month when a campfire exploded. Vandervlis was in Bearspaw — just west of Calgary — at the home of former Hurricanes captain Tyler Wong.
Cochrane RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said turpentine, the extremely flammable solvent commonly used as a paint thinner, was thrown on to the fire.
“We don’t believe we’re investigating anything criminal at this time,” said Savinkoff.
“We’re still trying to talk to a few other witnesses that were there. We have some statements but not enough to the point that we’re satisfied to say we’ve concluded the file.”
Vandervlis has so far had five surgeries and will need more, but his family said he is expected to make a full recovery. A GoFundMe page that was created three weeks ago had raised close to $74,000 by Monday afternoon.
Teammate Jordy Bellerive and Hurricanes alumnus Matt Alfaro were also injured but both have been released from hospital. Bellerive — a prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins — tweeted that Vandervlis is “the strongest guy I know.”