Paralyzed Manitoba junior hockey player 'doing remarkably well,' uncle says

A paralyzed Manitoba junior hockey player has regained some muscle sensation in his arm, but still has a long course of rehabilitation and healing ahead of him, his uncle says.

Twenty-year-old Braden Pettinger was playing for the Portage Terriers when he crashed head on into the boards during a game on November 12.

Almost four weeks since the accident, Braden's uncle, Rob Pettinger, said his nephew is making progress. Braden recently recovered the ability to move muscles in one of his biceps and forearms, Pettinger said.

"Every little bit is a step in the right direction. I'd say he's doing remarkably well," Pettinger said. "He's doing as well, better than you could expect."

Braden fractured his C5 vertebra in his neck in several places, his family said.

Surgeons at Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre repaired the vertebrae, but currently Braden, who's from Elgin, Man., is paralyzed from the chest down.

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Pettinger said hospital staff at the Health Sciences Centre are keeping his nephew busy during his stay.

"He does rehab each day to try and keep the muscles functioning so that if they start to get a signal from the nerves they'll be able to move," Pettinger said.

The family has seen a large outpouring of support from Manitobans and the hockey community. 

"It's unbelievable, the response, and it just keeps coming," he said.

Pettinger said doctors don't believe there is much of a chance Braden will ever walk again, but the family remains optimistic.

"You talk to other people and they've been told the same thing and they've gained some movement. He keeps working at rehab … that's all you can do," Pettinger said. "Right now, he needs a miracle, needs to defy the odds and start gaining feeling in his torso and his legs."

As of Tuesday night, a GoFundMe campaign created for Braden had raised more than $145,000, which is just $5,000 short of the goal.

The community of Souris is holding a benefit social on Dec. 26.