AFTER SHOOTING, HOCKEY COACH RETURNS TO TEAM

could for the people who needed us at that point.”

Nick underwent surgery to remove a bullet in his chest that narrowly missed his lungs. After a few weeks at the hospital, he was discharged and is recovering.

“It’s a process for sure,” Nick said. “I take it day by day and do the little things each day that I can do to get better. Hopefully I get to start rehab here in a few weeks.”

A big part of that continuing recovery was getting back to work with the UNLV hockey team.

“A few weeks ago, I returned to the team and I started helping with practice plans, reviewing video, things like that,” he said. “I can’t get on the ice just yet, but I’m still involved and I’m excited to get back on the ice. But it’s going to be a few more months before that happens.”

Although he can’t resume his full coaching duties just yet, just being around the team has been a major help, Nick said.

“I love my team, and I couldn’t wait to get back with them,” he said. “So for me to get back, it was more of the part of the process of recovery. It was a big part of it because I was able to see them and resume those relationships, and it makes me feel good. So, it’s definitely part of that (the healing process).”

Both Nick and Anthony Robone are UNLV alumni. They said they were elated, but not shocked, to see the large turnout at the university for a remembrance ceremony on Thursday.

“It’s unbelievable,” Nick said. “I graduated from UNLV, and the student body that’s here is really a great group. To have this type of support isn’t a surprise, but it’s great to see.”

The ceremony, aimed at remembering those who died or were injured in the shooting incident, provided some comfort to everyone affected by the tragedy, Anthony said.

“I’m sure there are hundreds of people who attend UNLV who were there that night, and they were affected,” Anthony said. “Not only my brother and myself, who are UNLV alumni, but people who go here now. It’s great that they did this, and I hope that they got something out of it. … I know for me, it helped.”

At the remembrance event, Nick lauded the community’s response, saying he was going to remember the good, rather than the evil. Anthony said later he was proud of his brother and the resolve he’s shown.

“To watch him out there (on the stage) and have the courage to talk about it, he did a really good job,” Anthony said. “I hope everyone takes what he said to heart. It is about choices, and we have to move forward but remember those who perished.”

Anthony said he had been going through the healing process himself. He said his colleagues at Station 81 had been helpful. They’ve empathized and covered shifts when needed

“The fire station has been awesome,” he said. “They have been supportive of me since the minute it happened. They’re always there for me. I always have somebody to talk to at the fire station.”

Several large media outlets such as Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report have told Nick’s story of survival. Although he wasn’t ready for media spotlight, he said he used the opportunity to praise those he considered heroes.

“I really wanted to divert the attention from me to where it really belongs — first responders, the police, the doctors, people like that,” Nick said. “I’m fortunate to be alive because of them. My story is hopefully one of those things that can provide some light in a very dark time. But at the same time, those are the people who really saved lives. They’re the reason why I’m here today.”

He said the Las Vegas community’s response to the tragedy showed the world what he already knew about his hometown.

“It’s something that I’m not shocked by. I was born and raised here, and I know how many good people are here in this town. … When something like this happens, the community rallies,” Nick Robone said. “The people here are tremendous.

“For them to do that just goes to show that the city is more than just a 7-mile stretch.” mick.akers@lasvegassun.com / 702-948-7813 / @mickakers