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The Comeback Kid
Derian Plouffe is a senior with Niagara University. The 21-year-old forward leads the Purple Eagles in scoring with four goals and four assists in six games.
Derian Plouffe of the Niagara Purple Eagles scores twice against Sacred Heart. ‘Courtesy: Niagara Athletic Communications’
He’s a bright and talented young man from Shawville, Que., and every day he’s reminded of how lucky he is to still be playing hockey, and, quite frankly, how lucky he is to be alive.
Just under a year ago, Plouffe was enjoying his junior year, leading the team in scoring, when his world took a sudden turn in a routine two-on-two battle drill in practice. A shot on net ricocheted off a stick and struck Plouffe in the side of the head as he drove to the net.
“The last thing I remember is being behind the net, getting the puck, passing to my teammate and then waking up on the ice about 30 seconds later,” he said.
Plouffe was taken to hospital where a CAT scan revealed a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain. Very quickly, a hockey injury had turned into a life-threatening event. He was transferred to Mercy Hospital in Buffalo where he spent four days in the intensive care unit, undergoing additional scans every six hours to monitor his condition.
“I got progressively worse,” he said. “Next day, when I woke up I couldn’t really walk on my own. I was so dizzy and nauseous and all of that.”
Released into the care of his family, it was apparent Plouffe’s recovery was going to be a lengthy and difficult process.
“It took me about three or four weeks before I could start walking on my own again,” he said. “…It was a tough year I guess you could say.”
He was introduced to Ottawa Senators doctor, Dr. Don Chow, who quickly provided a positive outlook to Plouffe’s prognosis. However, it was two months before he started to feel normal and was able to focus on the possibility of regaining his strength and returning to the Purple Eagles.
“Dr. Chow assured me that once six months were up you just have to trust the process, trust yourself,” Plouffe said. “Obviously you won’t really know how you feel until you take the first hit.”
Plouffe started skating on his own in late February and knew at that point he had won the battle. He rejoined his teammates prior to the start of this season and says, despite his brush with tragedy, he’s never felt better.
“Once I took a couple of hits in practice I knew I was fine and I’ve been great ever since…in fact, this is the best I’ve ever felt in my life,” he said. “I don’t know if the time off helped me…not sure what it is, but it’s the best I’ve ever felt.”
With the worst behind him, Plouffe is focused on continuing to lead the Purple Eagles. Beyond that, his goal is to follow his path in hockey as far as it will take him.
“I definitely want to play professional hockey,” he said. “Obviously the NHL is the dream, but playing professionally somewhere is definitely the goal.”
Considering what he’s overcome, I wouldn’t bet against him.
