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14 // JAN/FEB 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM T RAVIS ROY'S college hockey career lasted only 11 seconds, but his inspiration to those in and out of the hockey world will live on forever. The former Boston University hockey player who was paralyzed after an injury on Oct. 20, 1995, and became a champion for spinal cord injury treatment, passed away on Oct. 29 at the age of 45. A h e r a l d e d f r e s h m a n f r o m Yarmouth, Maine, Roy slid head- first into the boards just 11 seconds into his first shift with the Terriers. He cracked his fourth vertebra, which left him a quadriplegic. Roy had since regained movement in his right arm, which he used to con- trol the joystick that maneuvered his wheelchair. From his wheelchair, Roy gave motivational speeches and created a foundation that helps other spi- "I always admired how he never let anyone feel sorry for him. He inspired me and every person that ever met him, and the hockey world will remember him forever." The Hockey World Mourns The Loss Of A Giant LEGENDS nal cord injury survivors live more independent lives through adaptive equipment grants and funding sci- entific research. For a hockey program lauded for developing countless NHL stars and Olympians, only two numbers hang from the rafters of Agganis Arena, the home of the Terriers. One is legendary head coach Jack Parker, who coached at his alma mater for 40 years. The other number is Roy's No. 24, which was retired in 1999. " T r a v i s w a s s o m e o n e t h a t any B.U. hockey player knew not because of his accident but because of how present he was within the program," Stanley Cup champion Kevin Shattenkirk told The New York Times in a text message. "I a l w a y s a d m i r e d h o w h e n e v e r let anyone feel sorry for him. He inspired me and every person that ever met him, and the hockey world will remember him forever." Over the years, Roy 's unbreak- able spirit and uplifting message resonated with all those who heard him: Do the best with what you have and don't dwell on your misfortune. "I like to say the first 20 years I had a life that was full of passion and the last 20 I've had a life full of pur- pose," Roy said shortly after turning 40. "The dream is to have both at the same time, but I'm fortunate. I'll take either one." P O F F T HE D R AW PHOTOS BY Getty Images –KEVIN SHATTENKIRK, Stanley Cup champion k Travis Roy never dwelled on his injury as he devoted his life to helping others through his words and his actions.