Travis Roy Honored By Bruins, Signed To One-Day Contract
BOSTON (CBS) -- With the 20-year anniversary of his career-ending injury on the horizon, Travis Roy was honored by the Boston Bruins on Monday.
Roy dropped the ceremonial puck prior for Boston's matinee game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the TD Garden, receiving a rousing ovation from fans and both teams. Before he took the ice, the former BU Terrier was also signed to a one-day contract by the team.
WATCH as #NHLBruins honored Travis Roy with a ceremonial puck drop earlier today: http://t.co/KWpuc7wHH6
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 12, 2015
It was on October 20, 1995 that Roy, then a freshman at Boston University, had his hockey career ended when he fell awkwardly into the boards after delivering a hit. The then 20-year-old never got up from that fall, which broke his fourth vertebrae and left him paralyzed from the neck down.
Since then Roy has dedicated his life to enhancing the lives of those suffering from spinal cord injuries and their families, starting the Travis Roy Foundation in 1997. Last month, the Bruins presented Roy with a $50,000 check to his foundation.
Roy told WBZ-TV's Liam Martin "This city doesn't forget its athletes whether they are legends who played their entire careers here or whether they played 11 seconds as a freshman."
"The humanity of New England...We live in a special place and I get to witness it every day," he said.
Boston University will honor Roy on the 20th anniversary of his injury, hosting "A Night For Travis Roy" on October 20, 2015 at Agganis Arena.