Minnesota Hockey Journal

M H J O N L I N E . C O M | O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 12 Discovering a passion By the summer of 2022, Alex had finished chemotherapy. He was recovering physically but needed an outlet to keep him active and busy. He tried wheelchair baseball and loved it. That's where he met Bill Grommesh, Executive Director of HOPE Inc., which pro- vides adaptive programming to children and adults. Grommesh quickly realized Alex's potential and suggested he come to sled hockey practice. "I immediately recognized Alex 's competitive nature," Grommesh said. "It was obvious that he would need that compet- itive interaction, and sled hockey would provide the opportunity to shoot for that." Alex gave it a shot. Just a few weeks into practices, he was enjoy- ing it—and he was really good. "His skills improved so quickly that we needed to move him from the recreational team to the competitive team," Grommesh said. "He's committed, he's supportive and he's driven. In such a short time, he's made huge strides. He's a quality young man with a great future in sled hockey." Alex and his family happily made the 100-mile drive each way to sled hockey practice in the Fargo-Moorhead area every Saturday they could. Not only did Alex continue to sharpen his skills each time he was on the ice, but he was also genuinely happy. "When he started sled hockey in November, it was like another world," Nikki said. "He was part of a team and getting to be com- petitive. He was improving, and he was finding purpose again." Living with purpose Since finishing chemotherapy in June 2022, all of Alex's scans have been clean. He was fitted for a prosthetic leg last summer, and he's grown so much that he's going to get a new one fitted soon. He's an energetic kid with a kind heart and an unwavering desire to go above and beyond to help others. Alex is gracious with his time and often volunteers in his com- munity—helping with Meals on Wheels, the Red Lake County Food Shelf, his church, the local nursing home and youth basket- ball camp. He enjoys playing with his friends and three siblings. He assisted the Mayo Clinic Physical Therapy Department with a video for patients going through an amputation and was able to help another child in Fargo deal with her accident, amputation and the many emotions that follow. "What he has accomplished in just 10 years of life, some people never accomplish in their lifetime," Gillen said. "For USA Hockey to recognize that at his age, I think, will only give him more deter- mination to continue to make a difference." Alex knows that may not be easy, but he's determined to make the most of what he has. "He's had to overcome a lot—physically, mentally, emotional- ly—and he never quit," Nikki said. "He kept persevering down a road that you pray nobody ever has to take." That road has allowed him to stop and meet some of his most treasured friends, and become a part of an extraordinary com- munity. At the 2023 Minnesota Hockey Awards Celebration, Alex was recognized with a Diversified Hockey grant for his determi- nation, commitment and perseverance through adversity, and his eagerness to give back to those around him. "It's unbelievable how much Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey have embraced us right from the start," Nikki said. "To be a part of something and belong to something bigger than themselves, that they can find a reason to keep going on and be competitive and set goals, it's huge. It makes a difference to Alex and to our family in an incredible way." Alex continues to live each day with purpose—never meeting an obstacle he can't overcome. "He has more ability than anybody I know, and obviously he hasn't let cancer stop him," Gillen said. "He's not going to let any- thing stop him." "HE'S HAD TO OVERCOME A LOT—PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY— AND HE NEVER QUIT. HE KEPT PERSEVERING DOWN A ROAD THAT YOU PRAY NOBODY EVER HAS TO TAKE." — Nikki Gullingsrud, Alex's Mom UNSTOPPABLE UNSTOPPABLE

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