Broncos crash survivor plans return to the ice
Dahlgren signs letter of intent to play for York University Lions next season
Kaleb Dahlgren itches to wedge his feet into a pair of skates and chase a puck with abandon, just like he did before an April bus crash battered his body and brain.
He’ll do it in a York University Lions jersey, if all goes according to plan. Dahlgren — one of 13 survivors of the April 6 collision that killed 16 people on the Humboldt Broncos bus — announced Friday that he’s signed a letter of intent to play with the Toronto-based school as early as this fall.
Instrumental in that signing was Broncos’ assistant coach and former York player Mark Cross, who died in the crash.
“Mentally, I’m ready to play hockey this fall,” Dahlgren, 20, said in an interview. “Physically, I’m not too sure. But I want to do it for everybody in that accident, and so I’m mentally ready to go. We’ll just see if my body can take it, or if my brain can take it. And the time will come. I’m just taking it day by day. I know my body will be good. It’s more my brain I need to worry about right now.”
The accident fractured Dahlgren’s skull and he sustained a brain injury, along with multiple broken and cracked bones in both his neck and back. He’s recovering nicely, though, and says he’s currently “six or seven” on a scale of one to 10.
Before the accident, Dahlgren had talked regularly with the Lions, who received glowing reports from Cross — highly respected during his time as a forward with York, where he played for five seasons before graduating out of the program after the 2015-16 season.
Dahlgren, who is diabetic, runs a program called Dahlgren’s Diabeauties, focused on helping kids with the disease. The winger collected 32 points and 43 penalty minutes in 48 regular-season games with the Broncos this past season, and two goals and three assists in seven playoff contests.
“In terms of the character and work ethic, style of game and skillset that Kaleb possesses, he fits in really nicely with our culture and our program here,” said York head coach Russ Herrington.
“You top that off with Mark Cross. If he isn’t the most respected player we’ve had in my time here in the last three years, I don’t know who would be tied with him. When he is raving about someone’s character and all that, then it’s just like, OK — it’s a slam dunk.”
Herrington was interested in three other Broncos, in addition to Dahlgren, and he planned to watch their April 6 playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks online. Then, the nightmare.
The coach sent feelers to Saskatchewan in the accident’s immediate aftermath, and heard from Dahlgren a few days later. They maintained communication, and when Herrington travelled to Saskatchewan for Cross’s memorial service, he had breakfast with the Dahlgren family, along with a York assistant coach and five players.
“We sat there, heard all the stories, talked to him about his recovery,” Herrington said. “And that’s when we presented him with the offer and the letter of intent. Our message to him was we want you when you’re ready. If that’s not September 2018, this offer doesn’t go away.
“Kaleb has a spot in our program when he’s recovered and ready to come to York and become a student. We’ll help him with whatever it takes from there to have success here in the classroom and in the community. And if it turns out he’s able to play hockey, then fantastic — we’ll help him with that, as well.”
Dahlgren hasn’t skated since the accident, but he intends to hit the ice this summer. He’s planning as if he’ll be ready for fall university hockey, while realizing that it might not happen right away. He talked with four other universities before settling on York, and says Cross played a huge role in that final decision.
“When he went to York, he left a really nice legacy there,” Dahlgren said. “I want to do that for him — go to York for him, and play on his behalf. I want to leave a legacy there as well.
“That was the deciding factor, was Mark Cross. I want to play for him and do it for him. I know he’d be proud of me for doing that.”
Dahlgren has been driven since age nine by the idea of playing collegiate hockey, ever since the family visited Ralph Engelstad Arena on the University of North Dakota campus.
He peppered the tour guide with questions, so much that after the regular circuit ended, the Dahlgren family got a more personal, in-depth tour.
“All the way home, nine years old, he’s going ‘I’m going to play college or university. I want to do that,’ ” said Kaleb’s father, Mark.
“His marks in school changed, his diet changed, his focus changed. It was unbelievable. That’s what he’s been geared to since nine years old. So when this ( bus crash) happened, we said we’re not sure when he can play again. To commit ... it may be a little too soon. But he said ‘I’ve been focused on this goal since I’m nine. Don’t take it away. Even if I just sign, and I can never play, at least I know that I fulfilled my goal and that somebody wanted me at the end of this.’
“I’d never thought of it that way. I said ‘Frick, yeah — if you know where you want to go, then commit. And if you can’t go this year, maybe next year.’”
If Dahlgren’s body or brain won’t let him play this fall, he’ll stay home, continue to rehabilitate, take a York class or two online. A spot is waiting for him, whenever he’s ready, if he’s ready.
“He’s an amazing story even beyond this accident,” Herrington said.
“Living with diabetes, pushing himself to be better, to survive that, and to not let it hold him back, is an amazing example for everybody. You add this into the mix? He’s a special kid, which is what drew us to him in the first place.
“And now, we’re hoping to make something special happen for him, even more so because of what he had to go through with his teammates there in Humboldt.”
I’m just taking it day by day. I know my body will be good. It’s more my brain I need to worry about right now.