Robinson returns to M.J.
Corey Atkinson, Saskatchewan News Network
Published: Friday, February 23, 2007
MOOSE JAW -- Of all the come-from-behind victories that Moose Jaw Warriors fans at the Civic Centre have seen over the past 22 years, this one ranks as a Beauty.
Garrett Robinson, the Warriors forward who was critically injured in an auto accident in late October, will come back to the Civic Centre tonight for the first time since the collision.
Robinson, whose collision inspired goaltender Joey Perricone to write the word "Beauty'' on his stick blade in the aftermath of the collision as a reminder of his teammate, will be involved in some pre-game festivities before the Warriors play the Calgary Hitmen. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
"Being down there and seeing his progression, and knowing he has made some substantial recovery here, it's always been our organization's No. 1 goal to bring him and his family back here,'' said Warriors general manager Chad Lang. "I know they want to be back here. But I think too, in fairness to the community and our fans, I know they've supported Garrett remarkably throughout this whole tragedy, and this gives them some positive feedback."
Robinson and Perricone were passengers in a car driven by then-Warrior Carter Smith (now of the SJHL's Yorkton Terriers) early one morning after arriving back in the city from an Alberta road trip. Smith's Chevrolet Cavalier, which was being driven west on Caribou, was blindsided by a Ford F-150 truck driving south on 4th Avenue Northwest. Robinson took the brunt of the impact on the passenger side.
The impact of the collision sent Smith's car a full block south to Hochelaga Street. Robinson suffered severe brain injuries and was sent into a coma. After a tense 48-hour period post-brain surgery, Robinson spent several days in Regina General Hospital's Intensive Care Unit. He was then transferred to a Surrey, B.C., hospital and then a rehabilitation hospital. He has since moved back home with parents Randy and Carol in Surrey.
Perricone and Smith escaped with only minor physical injuries. Smith was later traded to the Everett Silvertips before being sent to Yorkton.
In the aftermath, Curtis Jay Mullen has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08. He has yet to speak to those charges, but will have another court appearance March 5.
The Warriors practiced Thursday morning and the news of Robinson's return hadn't filtered to all of them by the time Lang made public the announcement.
"The kids that we have had the opportunity to talk to are extremely excited," said Lang. "Their friend and their teammate is coming back and is going to be part of them this weekend. When Garrett was fortunate enough to be in attendance in Vancouver, it really lifted the spirits of our players, and our players were motivated to play for him."
Today is the first time the Robinson family has come back to Saskatchewan since the collision.
"I know through my conversations with them, they're excited to come back, and for Garrett to be able to show people his progress, and at the same time, thank everybody here for all their support,'' Lang said.
The short pregame ceremony will introduce Garrett, Randy and Carol and allow the fans to show their support.
"I think it'll be good for all parties involved, our organization, the Robinson family, our fans, everybody that takes in the game," Lang said.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007