Tyler Cragg has been a leader in the hockey community for years. Now he needs the support of the most generous community in all of sports.
The following was adapted from his Go Fund Me page.
It has been Tyler’s passion to mentor young men in hockey — both on and off the ice. He has loved serving as president and coach for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens for many years.
In April 2013, Tyler had a seizure at the rink and within two days he was in brain surgery having a “lesion” removed. He had been completely healthy so the diagnosis was a shock – Glioblastome Multiforme (brain cancer). Not one to look for pity, Tyler quietly began treatments at Princess Margaret Hospital and quickly returned to work at the Canadian Ice Academy and the Jr. Canadiens hockey club.
Sixteen months later, he had a recurrence but faced this beast with the same determination as the first round. Within 10 days of his second surgery, he was back on the ice with his boys.
In March of this year, he had another recurrence so sadly he had to leave his team in the midst of the OHL Cup to have brain surgery No. 3. Unfortunately, this was a more extensive operation and Tyler suffered a minor stroke leaving him with right side deficits and aphasia (challenges with speech).
Tyler is living with his family, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. His most recent MRI has shown that treatments are working, headed in the right direction. He’s still Tyler – understanding everything, smart, funny, a champ and a fighter.
