Rosemount Hockey Team Rallies Behind Teammate After Accident

ROSEMOUNT, MN — Rosemount hockey players came together recently in support of one of their own after he suffered a spinal cord injury in a swimming accident. Joel Carlson, 17, broke two vertebrae July 17 after jumping in a pool, and to support his recovery, the team created a GoFundMe page to raise money for Carlson and his family.

Rosemount hockey coach Ricky Saintey told KARE-TV the team plans to be there “every step of the way” through Carlson’s recovery. So far, the team and the Rosemount community have raised more than $41,000 for the Carlson family.

Carlson, a Rosemount High School junior, underwent a six-hour surgery on July 15 to stabilize his spine, according to the GoFundMe page. While Carlson can move and feel his arms, and is starting to have feeling in his legs, the full ramifications of the accident won't be known for a while. Regardless of the outcome, his family said they anticipate a long hospital stay and intensive inpatient rehabilitation.

The community can follow Carlson’s recovery on GoFundMe or on the Facebook page, Joel Carlson updates.

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