Paralyzed Twin Cities hockey player makes modest progress, cracks a joke

The Twin Cities skater paralyzed during a junior hockey game over the weekend in suburban Chicago has shown modest signs of progress and even joked a bit with visitors in his hospital room, according to an update Thursday from the family.

Matt Olson, a 20-year-old defenseman for the Chicago Cougars, hit a rut in the ice while racing for the puck Sunday and fell face-first into the boards at the team's home rink in Hoffman Estates, Ill. He is recovering in Advocate Lutheran Hospital in nearby Park Ridge, still unable to speak or move below his shoulders.

"Yesterday [Wednesday] was a good day," parents Sue and Doug Olson, of Isanti, Minn., wrote in a posting on Matt's CaringBridge Web page. "His spine is in good alignment, but there is still a lot of swelling around the spinal cord. … Matt is getting stronger every day."

Olson, a four-year hockey letter-winner who graduated in 2014 from Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, "still has his great sense of humor," the parents wrote.

They went on to recount a visit Wednesday night with brother Steve Olson and two of the Cougars' coaches. A board used to assist Matt was brought out so he could "talk" using facial expressions.

"Matt spelled out, 'Mom sucks at this,' and everyone started laughing," the Web posting continued. Matt, however, became irritated because he had yet to put an "LOL" on the end of the message.

Also picking up Matt's spirits was a telephone call from his girlfriend in Texas, Katie Sellards. "Just to hear her voice brightened up his day," the parents reported.

Sellards said Thursday that "Matt is a fighter, and prayers and positivity are extremely helpful."

The Cougars have home playoff games Saturday and Sunday against the Steele County Blades of Owatonna, Minn. All proceeds from admissions and sales of cookies, bracelets, buttons, T-shirts and jerseys will go to www.gofundme.com/mattolson-3, a fundraising account to help the Olson family offset medical expenses.

As of Thursday evening, more than $48,000 had been pledged.

"Let's pack the Sears Centre for this special weekend and show our continued support for Matt Olson and his family!" the team said in announcing the events.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482