Kare11
Holy Angels hockey captain Mason Garcia cheers on teammates
Garcia suffered a traumatic brain injury less than two weeks ago during a pre-season scrimmage, but he’s already back on his feet.
RICHFIELD, Minn — Twelve days ago, Holy Angels hockey captain Mason Garcia suffered a traumatic brain injury after enduring a hit into the boards during a pre-season scrimmage.
First responders rushed him to Regions Hospital.
“I was conscious the entire time, even though I couldn’t feel anything or move,” Garcia said. “The uncertainty of whether or not that would be what the rest of my life would be like, that was pretty scary. But I knew I couldn’t accept that. And I had to kind of fight through that.”
Despite doctors telling him he may need to wait until December to leave the hospital, Garcia committed himself to grueling sessions of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, which helped him recover much quicker than anticipated.
Garcia left the hospital earlier this week on Tuesday – just in time for the Holy Angels home opener against Spring Lake Park on Thursday night at Richfield Ice Arena.
The senior captain did not play, but he accompanied his team into the locker room and cheered them on from the stands just above the bench. Although he moves slowly, Garcia is already back on his feet walking and has regained his major functions.
“I am very grateful for where I am. I know a lot of people that were in my position, going through the things I went through, aren’t this lucky,” Garcia said. “They’re not back walking, not out of the hospital yet, not able to move. I recognize that I am very lucky with this situation.”
His presence provided an immediate boost for teammates like Henry Lechner, a fellow captain for Holy Angels.
“I think it motivates the boys to go even harder, because he wants us to. He’s going to be here supporting us and cheering us on,” Lechner said. “Hockey and life are given to us, and it can be taken away from us very quickly. You’ve got to cherish every moment, and you’ve got to work hard every moment, because you don’t know when it will be your last.”
Holy Angels head coach Patrick Griswold, who has coached Garcia all through high school, said the captain’s role will not change moving forward.
“The only thing is, he just won’t be on the ice with us. He’ll be in the locker room before and after the game, he’ll be at every practice,” Griswold said. “Still one of our captains and leading our team.”
As Garcia continues his physical therapy and recovery process, he said he’s hopeful to get back onto the ice whenever possible.
Until then, he’s focusing on how to support his teammates from the bench.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
