Hamlin incident brings back memories for former Nipawin Hawks coach

The scene that played out Monday when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game reminded former Nipawin Hawks head coach Bruce Thompson of a similar incident 25 years ago.

During an SJHL game in November of 1997 between the Hawks and Humboldt Broncos, Nipawin forward Graham Christie was hit in the chest with the puck when he blocked a shot.

While Christie had on full equipment and protection, the impact of the shot stopped his heart and cut off oxygen to his brain.

Thompson accompanied Christie to hospital, where the 20-year-old player remained in a coma. He died a week later after being taken off life support.

Thompson says the moment that played out on Monday Night Football took him back to that night.

“It brought up a lot of memories, obviously, thinking about Graham and his family and the tragedy that they went through after Graham was struck by a puck,” Thompson said. “It was a terrible incident that, as a team, we rallied behind and always stuck together.

“It unites us as a group. More than just the fact that we played together a game that we love, we played with a guy that we’ll never forget.”

Thompson stayed at Christie’s hospital bedside until his parents were able to arrive from Kelowna.

The incident sent shockwaves throughout the Hawks’ dressing room and the rest of the league. The league went on a brief hiatus and every SJHL team was represented at a memorial service held for Christie in Grenfell.

After the service, everyone in the Hawks organization decided to continue playing the rest of the season in Christie’s honour. As well, Christie’s No. 15 jersey was retired by the Hawks.

(Bruce Thompson/Submitted)

“We were a team that was close anyway, but when something like that happens, you really find out what you’re made of as a person and as a group,” Thompson said. “Each individual on our team stood by the Christie family and they knew that we were there with them …

“When the 25th year came this year, I had a number of calls and texts and messages from the boys of that group. It’s something that you never forget.”

While the Hawks felt they had to move forward that season, Thompson said it wasn’t an easy thing to do.

“We discussed it as a group and it was a unanimous decision that we continue and go forward, and we dedicated the season to Graham,” Thompson said. “We had a tremendous season; we went to the league final (and lost to the Weyburn Red Wings). I think if we had Graham in the lineup, we wouldn’t have lost.”

Thompson says to this day, Christie remains on the minds of the members of that team.

“I know within each person that played on that team, each player holds Graham’s life in a very special place,” Thompson said. “It’s something that they talk about with their families — as I do as well.”

Thompson has an image of Christie’s number on the computer he uses every day. In 2019, the former head coach was inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame and dedicated his induction to Christie while wearing a lapel pin adorned with the player’s No. 15.

“You never forget something like that,” Thompson said. “I’ve talked to my two girls about this at length of the importance of not forgetting him.”