Holy Angels hockey player released from hospital
The senior captain of the Holy Angels hockey team has been released from the hospital after he suffered a "traumatic brain injury" in a hit during a scrimmage on Nov. 18.
The family of Mason Garcia, an 18-year-old student-athlete at Richfield High School, posted an updated to his dedicated CaringBridge page on Tuesday saying he "was released and will now begin an outpatient occupational and physical therapy program."
Garcia's original release date was slated for Dec. 7.
The senior hit his head against the boards during a scrimmage at the White Bear Lake Scrimmage Fest at TCO Sports Garden. He was rushed to Regions Hospital ICU and had limited movement in his hands and lower body, according to a GoFundMe launched to assist the family.
Garcia's mother, Jennie, said in the latest CaringBridge post it will still be "a marathon, not a sprint" on the road to recovery.
"...we have no doubt in our minds that he will win this race. He is brilliant, smart, driven and kind and regardless of whether or not he gets to play hockey again, he is going to do amazing things," she said.
His mother added that Garcia was able to make it to the Richfield Ice Arena to "throw his jersey on and take pictures with his teammates."
A GoFundMe has raised nearly $54,000 since it was posted on Nov. 19.
