Dear MSWHL Hockey Community,

The coach of the Black Ice women's team, Bill Ellsworth, suffered a serious accident while playing hockey, leaving him without feeling or function below his neck. He has made some strides including ability to talk while on a ventilator, and now he is working to breathe independently after having surgery for a diaphragm pacemaker. He still has a long road of recovery and rehabilitation. 

Bill first started coaching our Black Ice team in 2001 because one of our players was taking his hockey clinic and casually asked him to coach our team. Over the last 20+ years he has given his time to help women understand and play hockey like an athlete. There were times when Bill was expected to be at another rink to play his own hockey game, yet he would drive to wherever we were playing, give his pep talk before the game, and coach on the bench, even if he had to leave after only the first period in order to make his own game.

If you know Bill, you know he is one of the most giving human beings in this world. He has taken in countless people who needed a place to live. He has helped friends and family with anything and everything they could ever need, from moving refrigerators to helping with (doing) home renovations. Now Bill needs our help! Check out the email and flyer below to see how you can help during his recovery. 

Please reach out if you have any questions!