Bucks County native Jack Smiley fell in love with skating when he was four, and it soon developed into a passion for hockey, writes Sidney Snider for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Smiley played at Holy Ghost Prep, in the NAHL and with the Jr Flyers before eventually attending Endicott College.
In February 2022, Smiley was on the ice when he collided with another player, causing him to suffer a ministroke. Though he seemed to have recovered, a week later during practice, his ankle wasn’t moving and he was unable to speak.
Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with right-sided hemiparesis, which paralyzed the right side of his body.
Smiley remained determined to recover and return to the ice. Over the next three years, he worked diligently with physical, occupational and speech therapists.
“I had plenty of times where I wanted to quit. I thought, ‘Hey, this might not be possible.’ And it was just all about fully mentally convincing myself that whatever part of my brain was speaking to me that way, it was wrong,” he said.
After a year of therapy, Smiley began regaining coordination by playing tennis and golf, taking dance lessons, and training in MMA.
All his hard work paid off, and on Feb. 15 of this year, Smiley finally returned to play with his team, securing a victory over Johnson & Wales University.
Read more about how Bucks County native Jack Smiley overcame a life-changing stroke to return to the ice and inspire others with his determination in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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