The Champion of Champions - Junior Hockey News

The Granite City Lumberjacks followed up being named the NA3HL Organization of the Year by capturing the NA3HL championship two weeks ago to cap off a season that was full of successes for the team.

Among the award winners on the team were goaltender Matt Grove, who captured the League MVP, League Goaltender of the Year, and 1^st team Goaltender honors, Peter Lindblad, who was named League Forward of the Year and was a 1^st Team Forward, and Nick Zierden, who joined Grove and Lindblad on the 1^st Team as a 1^st Team Defenseman. General Manager Brad Willner also received the NA3HL General Manager of the Year.

But yet there was one man who rose above the rest. The person that the Lumberjacks give responsibility to for inspiring the team to dig deep down within themselves and find that necessary will to win. And that man is Ezra McPhail.

Most within the Junior Hockey community know the story. Playing at a Junior Hockey Showcase in Downers Grove, Ill., McPhail went hard into the boards head first, and suffered a concussion and spinal cord injury. The injuries ended up being fractures of the T5 and T6 vertebrae, which have forced McPhail to require the use of a wheelchair.

This is the point where most of us would give up. Where we would look back and question why us. But Ezra McPhail isn't most of us.

Since the injury, Ezra has worked extensively every day with physical therapy to help his recovery. And not only is he working hard to recover, but he is working even harder to get back on the ice. Yes, the sport that changed Ezra's life forever is the same sport that is providing him with the inspiration to recover from this tragedy.

McPhail plans to pursue a future in sled hockey, and was given the opportunity to get into several games this season. It's this love for the game that allows him to remain positive, and allow him to spread this positive attitude to those around him.

With the love and support of all those around him, Ezra continues to heal. And through this process, he continues to provide inspiration to everyone through trying times. Here is a man who embodies the very definition of champion. And there's no doubt his hard work and passion will continue to lead to success.