What began as a simple text message to Schreiber Falcons head coach Mario Filane Figliomeni eventually turned into a serious situation for defenceman Keewaedin Crews.
The Lakehead Junior Hockey League rookie remains in the care of staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre after having to undergo some tests in hospital shortly after that text to his coach in October.
“It’s been about two or three weeks now that we have slowly heard updates about Keewaedin’s condition and his health issues. It was very tough news [for the entire team], and our [players were] in shock,” Figliomeni said.
Crews had to undergo emergency surgeries and will be in recovery and rehabilitation for an indefinite period of time for what are being called “very rare and complicated health issues.”
The former affiliate player suited up in the first three games of the season, registering a pair of assists.
Figliomeni called Crews a stud defenceman.
“He’s big, strong, mobile, and has a heavy shot with a quick release. He’s the kind of guy who can shut down the other team’s best players, and at the same time jump up in the play as an offensive catalyst from the back end. As good as he is on the ice, he’s an even better kid off of it. He is loved in the room by the guys because he leads by example on the ice, and carries himself as a polite, respectful and professional-like player off of it.”
The team has stepped up to try and assist the family with medical costs, starting to sell hats which can be picked up at their home games and at Hair Infinity, a local business in Thunder Bay.
Figliomeni noted that the hats, which display a teal heart, with his jersey No. 8 and “the crews missile” signature inside of it (a team nickname given to Crews), are a way for the team to show the family that they are thinking about their recovering teammate.
“Every game we play, we try to win it for Crewser,” he added.
“[Keewaedin] was a guy everyone loved in the dressing room and we miss having him around. We have his jersey hung up in our home dressing room as a reminder to play like the Missile, and almost every time a player has been awarded the ‘player of the game’ Chef’s hat they’ve dedicated their effort to Keewaedin and said in their speech to the rest of the team that this one’s for Crewser.”
