Help Blake Skate Again: A Journey of Recovery & Hope

May 9th, 2025 — a date that changed everything.

It was just after 11 pm., not far from my home. I remember hearing sirens — police, fire, even a helicopter overhead — racing toward something nearby. I had no idea they were all rushing to my son.

He had been in a serious car accident. Multiple fractures. A broken femur. The injuries were so severe that, at one point, doctors considered amputating his leg.

As a parent, nothing prepares you for that kind of fear. Seeing him in the hospital — broken, in pain, unsure of what lay ahead — was one of the hardest moments of my life.

But even in those terrifying first moments, there was hope.

A man named Michael Piperni was on scene within seconds of the crash. He stayed with my son, kept him calm, kept him conscious, and quite literally helped keep him alive until first responders arrived. Michael, if you’re reading this — thank you. You gave my son a fighting chance, and my family will be forever grateful.

I also want to thank the incredible Halton Police, the firefighters, paramedics, and the medical team who responded with speed and professionalism. Your efforts saved my son’s life. From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

Since that day, my son’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. He’s endured surgeries, setbacks, and exhausting rehab sessions. But he’s met every challenge head-on, with a fire and focus that has inspired everyone around him.

He’s now deep into intense rehabilitation, pushing himself daily with one goal in mind: returning to the game he loves. And not just returning — coming back stronger, faster, and hungrier than ever. He’s determined to play high-level hockey again, and if anyone can defy the odds, it’s him.

As a father, I couldn’t be more proud. But this fight — this spirit — didn’t begin with the accident.

He was born a fighter. Just 3 pounds at birth. Coaches told him for years he was too small. But he worked. He grew to 6 feet tall, and even when he went undrafted, he didn’t let it stop him. He kept pushing, kept training, and started turning heads — proving people wrong like he always has.

To this day, he continues to defy expectations.

Along the way, he’s had a village around him, and I want to acknowledge some of those who’ve made an incredible difference.

To Mr. V, his teacher at Christ the King in Georgetown — thank you for being a constant presence and source of strength. You’ve stood by him since day one of this journey, and that support has meant more than words can express.

To his teammates and former teammates — thank you for showing up. For the visits, the messages, the encouragement. You’ve helped lift him through the darkest moments, reminding him what brotherhood really means.

To those who baked him his favourite cookies and cooked meals for Blake — your love was felt. Those acts of kindness reminded us we weren’t alone, and they brought light into days that felt impossibly heavy.

To his mum, his two siblings, my two sisters and brothers-in-law, and to my parents — thank you for being his rock and his strength. Your unwavering support, your presence, and your love have carried Blake through this. You’ve been beside me every step, holding me up when I didn’t have the strength. Your love is everything to me, and I’ll never forget what you’ve done for Blake during this time.

And to the coaches, mentors, extended family, and friends who continue to believe in him and push him to reach the top — thank you. Your belief in Blake is part of what fuels his comeback.

As we continue this journey, we’re also raising funds to support his recovery and rehab — to help him get the care, treatment, and tools he needs to return to the game he loves. Every contribution will go directly toward helping Blake heal and get back on the ice where he belongs.

His story isn’t over — not even close. And to anyone out there facing impossible odds, I hope you see in him what I do: proof that with belief, willpower, and an unshakable heart, you can overcome anything.

As a father, I couldn’t be more proud.