If you’re a Boston-area hockey fan, or even just a hockey fan in general, there’s a good chance you know Travis Roy’s story.
Roy achieved his dream at 20 years old by receiving a hockey scholarship to Boston University. But 11 seconds into Roy’s first game for the Terriers, he slid head-first into the boards, cracking two vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed below the neck.
So before Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Boston Bruins signed Roy to a one-day contract and asked him do the honors of the ceremonial puck drop.
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.@NHLBruins signed Travis Roy to a 1-day contract and Terry O'Reilly gave permission to wear #24. Great day. pic.twitter.com/kIPtOlqFUQ
— Dale Arnold (@DaleEArnold) October 12, 2015
As NESN’s Dale Arnold tweeted, legendary Bruins winger Terry O’Reilly gave Roy permission to wear his No. 24, which was Roy’s number and is the only one retired in BU hockey history.
The Bruins went on to lose 6-3, but not even that could spoil this special moment.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@NHL