Fundraiser supports Sask. hockey player paralyzed after snowboard accident

A fundraiser for a young Aberdeen man injured after an accident on a ski hill has surpassed its goal within hours of being launched Sunday.

Nineteen-year-old Kyrell Sopotyk, a member of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident over the weekend according to a GoFundMe page.

The online campaign to help the family with medical bills and possible renovations to their home had raised more than $100,000 as of Monday afternoon.

“He’s a wonderful kid,” said Kathleen Zary, the creator of the GoFundMe page. “The whole family are one of those families that you can meet them for the first time and feel like they’re your best friend. I think they just make you feel so comfortable.

“Kyrell’s a hoot. He’s funny (and) he always has a smile on his face. Nothing gets him down. He’s just an amazing young man so I’m proud that he’s one of my son’s really good friends.”

Saskatoon’s Connor Zary, a member of the Blazers who played for Canada at the world junior hockey championship in Edmonton, urged people on Twitter to support the family while his friend recovers.

My best friend Kyrell was in an accident over the weekend and is currently in hospital. He is the best guy I know and him and his family would do anything for anyone. Please donate if possible! Love you brother stay strong ❤️ https://t.co/L2tFg2kJSU

— Connor Zary (@ConnorZary) January 25, 2021

Kathleen Zary said she’s not sure exactly what the money will go towards but wanted to do something to help the family out.

“Basically they just said they’re going to have to be missing some work time because they’re going to be spending a lot of time with Kyrell …,” she said. “I don’t know if there will be maybe some house renovations down the line but for the interim they’re just not going to be at work, they’re going to be with Kyrell.

“I wanted to make sure the last thing they were worried about was getting into work and getting a paycheque.”

She said she wasn’t surprised to see so many people want to donate and help out.

“If you come from Saskatchewan, I don’t want to say you expect it, but you know how gracious people in Saskatchewan are,” she said. “Coming from a hockey community, I know everybody rallies around the hockey community as well so to see the support from both Saskatchewan and Kamloops, I want to say it surprises me but it doesn’t really surprise me.

“I think what surprises me the most is that it took off as fast as it did. I knew that it would go crazy on social media so I wanted to make sure (Kyrell) was OK with that.

“I’m really grateful to everyone in Saskatchewan and Kamloops for their love and support and all the kind words that have been sent over for the Sopotyk family. I’ve been relaying all of that over to them as well. I just want to say thank you very much for everybody who has helped them out.”

In a statement, the WHL said everyone in the league is “deeply saddened” by the devastating news.

“The WHL and our member Clubs extend our thoughts and prayers to Kyrell, the entire Sopotyk family, Kyrell’s teammates with the Kamloops Blazers, and all his friends during this challenging time,” the statement said.