BUFFALO, N.Y. — When you know how to skate before you can write your name, you only have one goal.
The NHL was forever Greg Manzi’s goal, but on Saturday, that all changed.
Over the weekend, the 16-year-old was playing in a game with the 16U Buffalo Jr. Sabres in Utica when he had a breakaway and took a shot on goal. He was hit legally in the front and collided with the boards. He then sat up and immediately flagged down the athletic trainer.
“He couldn't move his legs,” his father John said. “He knew there was something wrong”
Greg was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transferred to Upstate Medical where he was immediately taken into a six-hour surgery.
In the days since, he’s been able to regain some feeling in his legs and is doing some minor physical therapy but still can’t eat, his dad said.
“It's been a rough four and a half days,” John said. “He’s got a big heart. We're blessed. We're blessed with two good kids. But he is struggling right now.”
Greg’s new goal is just to be able to walk again. John said his doctors are pleased with his progress so far but have not yet said whether they think he will be able to.
“That's why he's going to need a lot of people behind him, and boy, he has a lot of people behind right now,” John said.
Over the last few days, he’s started receiving support from all across the nation — from Minnesota to Florida — and from his hometown community in Lancaster.
His community started a GoFundMe, raising almost $40,000 with over 300 donations in the past few days. The goal is to raise $100,000 for his medical bills.
Greg and his family are also in the process of trying to bring him home to Buffalo where he will be treated by the medical staff that works with the Sabres and the Bills.
No one knows if Greg will ever be able to still see his childhood dreams come true, but now they know no matter what, he’s going to have a community behind him.
“We don't know how far the recovery is going to take them. We don't know how long it's going to take the nerves to come alive again,” John said. “[But] we're beyond grateful. The Buffalo community, they are very passionate people. They're just fantastic, fantastic people.”
To contribute to Greg’s road to recovery, click here.