V and erv liss till in com a but making progress
Bellerive, Alfaro expected to make full recovery: Anholt
Lethbridge Hurricanes’ forward Ryan Vandervlis is still in a coma, but was taken off dialysis and is “showing signs of progress,” says Peter Anholt, the team’s general manager.
Speaking during a media conference at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge Tuesday afternoon, Anholt also said captain Jordy Bellerive and Canes alumnus Matt Alfaro are in better spirits, are in stable condition and are both expected to make a full recovery.
Anholt also wanted to again dispel the “inaccurate” report that the incident occurred during a bachelor party for former team star Tyler Wong, saying he was upset to read that misinformation.
“Anytime there’s reports that aren’t correct, I think we all want to make sure they’re clarified,” he said.
Anholt confirmed the campfire occurred at the Wong family home near Cochrane with a group of nine additional friends gathered.
“They were getting prepared to play some golf and go camping the next day. That’s what is was. Done.”
He said it’s believed the three injured players were all sitting on the same bench when a fire with wet wood was started with an accelerant.
“This went wrong,” Anholt said. “And why it happened, I don’t know. I wasn’t there and don’t know those details. Maybe at some point the police investigation will bring that.”
Cochrane RCMP continue to investigate the incident.
“Alfaro and Bellerive sustained burns to their upper body and are continuing to make progress and steps toward full recovery,” said Anholt, who has been back and forth to a Calgary hospital several times.
“Vandervlis sustained burns to the front of his body and has continued to be in a medicallyinduced coma. He, too, has shown signs of progress, having been taken off dialysis yesterday, which again is a real positive step. There’s so much hope and positive feel.”
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has reached out to my family and I sending us your best wishes,” Bellerive posted to Twitter on Tuesday morning.
“The support truly means the world to us. My friends and I have gone through a very hard time lately and are doing our best to stay positive. Although I have suffered from some very severe and painful burns, I am doing better each day. I am on my way to making a full recovery! I ask that you please continue to keep Ryan Vandervlis and Matt Alfaro in your thoughts and help them to a full recovery as well. Once again, thank you to my friends, family and all the hockey fans out there for all the unconditional support.”
“Wishing you a speedy recovery Jordy!” replied Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman. “Thinking about you, Matt and Ryan and your families.”
“My family and I would like to thank the hockey community for the concern over the past few days,” Alfaro said in an online statement through the University of Calgary Dinos, where he is now a team member. “The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and uplifting, and we deeply appreciate it. Our focus now is on my recovery and that of my teammates.”
The Vandervlis family has received numerous offers of financial support. Anholt also said the Hurricanes’ organization will “help and aid the Vandervlis family make this process more clear in the near future.”
“The big thing with financial support is we want to take emotion out of it and make it really clear of the proper steps,” he said. “We’ll know more about that in the next few days.”
A statement from the Vandervlis family on Monday said: “He is receiving exceptional medical care in an intensive-care unit in Calgary where he remains in critical condition. We are grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we have received and pray that Ryan will make a full recovery.”
“We are earnestly praying for three of Tyler’s closest friends — Ryan, Jordy and Matt — along with their families, for comfort and healing during this time of hurt,” says a statement from the Wong family.
Only family members, close friends and teammates have been granted visitation to Bellerive and Alfaro. Vandervlis is not taking visitors at this time.
“If anyone wants to send a card to the boys and their families, please feel free to drop them off at the Hurricanes office and we will make sure they are delivered,” Anholt said.
The GM also said a team chaplain has been made available to players and staff in need of counselling moving forward.
“The entire WHL family is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the three players involved in the accident that occurred Friday evening,” says a statement from WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL has been in contact with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and will continue to support the club and the families concerned during the recovery process.”
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