At 1:56 of the first period, just 11 seconds after starting his first
shift in an NCAA Division I hockey game Travis Roy fell into the
boards head first and fractured his fourth cervical vertebra.
Ironically, the injury occurred almost directly beneath the just
raised 1995 NCAA Championship Banner.
 
A Terrier had just dumped the puck into the UND zone after a center
ice faceoff, which Mitch Vig gathered in and shot around the
backboards.  Travis attempted to put a shoulder hit on Vig, but he
only made incidental contact, lost his balance and as he fell, his head
hit the boards and was snapped backwards.  Travis' body went
completely limp as he fell to the ice in an unnatural position.
 
Shortly after the game BU's team doctor, Dr. Anthony Schepsis, gave a
short press conference on Travis' injury and condition.  He said that
Travis had a fracture of the fourth cervical vertebra with complete
paralysis below that level at the time, future testing being
necessary.  He also said Roy was still in spinal shock and anything
can happen, but statistics on this type of injury are not good.
 
When asked about the time frame for possible recovery, Dr Schepsis
replied in a couple of days for major recovery, after that changes in
levels below the C4 level are possible.  He further added that Travis
will require surgery in the future.  One local TV station reported
that Travis will undergo surgery either Saturday or Sunday.
 
Dr Schepsis was also asked if Travis lost consciousness.  He replied
that Travis remained conscious the entire time and he also added that
that his breathing and circulatory system were stable after the injury.
 
Travis was taken to Boston City Hospital and was in stable condition
in ICU.  Travis' family and high school coach were at the game and
went with him to the hospital.
 
Sean Pickett            E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Go Terriers  1995 NCAA, Hockey East and Beanpot Champions
BU Hockey:  http://www.tiac.net/users/spickett/hockey.html
 
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