Injured Hockey Player Draws Crowd of Thousands

Kyle Cannon and his team during the National Anthem before the start of the Clay vs. Perrysburg game in the Kyle Cannon hockeyfest at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. THE BLADE/LORI KING
Kyle Cannon during the National Anthem - Courtesy of The Blade.
Toledo, Ohio - Some stories are just so good, you can't help but smile and be glad there are still some good folks left in this crazy world.

Kyle Cannon was your average teen until one fateful day in 2008 when an on-ice accident left him paralyzed. He was only 14.

Like a true fighter, his story didn't end there.

Kyle continued to follow Hockey religiously.

Telling Mark Monroe of the Toledo Blade "I always watch Hockey even though I got hurt."

Cannon riled up the crowd when he came out for the singing of the National Anthem just before the Clay vs Perrysburg game, which was the 6th game of the day at the Third Annual Holiday HockeyFest.

On the back of each of his old teammate's jersey read the name "Cannon." You know not a dry eye could be found in the crowd after seeing this.

The guys even had Kyle out on the ice for their warm ups. They all took turns busting his chops like the old days.

Hilariously, Kyle said "It's pretty cool. I was friends with all the guys on the team even before I got hurt. A lot of them were messing with me. But they'll get it back in school. I'll just run them over or something."

This kid's sense of humor is awesome. His story is incredible. We should all admire Kyle Cannon. His spirit and sense of humor would make anyone appreciate all they have in life.

This is such an awesome story and you can read the rest here.

Commentary:

I caught wind of this story through a close friend who's little brother happens to be Kyle Cannon's best friend. That friend is Hudson Sabin - seen to your right brutally slamming Perrysburg's Mike Finch into the boards.

Hudson is definitely the kind of friend Kyle needs around if he ever has one of those days where he's a little down. All he has to say is "hey Sabin, go punch that guy."

Without hesitation, Hudson replies "you got it bro!"

Just kidding!

I'm sure they hang out, talk about girls, hockey, and Call of Duty for hours on end. That's what I would do.

So to anyone sad this Holiday Season: quit your 'Debbie Downer' cries for attention. Life is what you make it. Kyle is surrounded by love and friends because he deserves it. He earned it. You have to do the same.
Clay's Alyssa Batch blocks a shot by Perrysburg's Patrick Sarni during the Kyle Cannon hockeyfest at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. THE BLADE/LORI KING
Alyssa Batch showing the boys how it's done.
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Hudson Sabin laying the smack down!