Tyler Ruppelius is a player on the Becker-Big Lake varsity hockey team. He was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last week.

 

It started with the lymph nodes in his neck. He missed past two weeks with the biopsy surgery. He made practice Wednesday and played in his spot on the line one left wing last Thursday night versus Mora. Down 2-0 he got our first goal to make it 2-1. The crowd roared.

 

He played his final game last week versus Northwest Iceman before he had to have surgery Monday to put a port for chemo in.

 

“It has been emotional couple weeks,” said Coach Hartfiel. “I have had the opportunity to be Ty’s coach for a very long time.”

 

“He has been a great player always towards the top in skill and talent, A coaches delight,” he continued. “Imagine our faces last year he showed up for first day last season on crutches. Missed whole year for tendon growth plate issue in his knee.”

 

He came back this season like he had never missed a game, finding his spot on the top line. In the locker room he is quiet kid towards coaches, but always yucking it up with his teammates.

 

“Never had to worry about this kid being ready to play. He loves hockey,” added Hartfiel. “That was his biggest concern was not being able to play and help his team.”

 

He’s never a selfish player and always makes the pass.

 

“He’s one of those players with great stride and glide making it look easy out there,” said Hartfiel. “He has been a great student in school and also pretty good baseball player from what hear.”

 

After talking and keeping updated by his father, it was discovered that doctors did not want him playing out of fear of injury. Ruppelius decided to play these last two games anyway. 

 

The Eagles won 4-3; Ruppelius got an assist in the final period to win the game. It was everything Eagles fans hoped for.

 

“It was a good one,” said Hartfiel. “It was good to see him on the ice.”