Former NHL'er Aaron Volpatti with his new book at The Roster. (Photo credit: The Roster)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Defying the odds

Former NHL’er Volpatti holds book launch in Vernon

Oct 25, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Aaron Volpatti’s road to the National Hockey League was so unique, it deserved to be told in a book.

The former NHL forward, who now calls Vernon home, is set to released his story: Fighter: Defying the NHL odds.

It details overcoming a devastating burn injury Volpatti suffered while camping with his Vernon Vipers teammates in 2005, and eventually making it to Brown University and then the NHL, where on some nights, he had to fight to earn his paycheque.

(Photo courtesy of The Roster)

The 37-year-old Revelstoke native played in 114 NHL games, 54 with the Vancouver Canucks and 58 with the Washington Capitals after going undrafted out of college hockey.

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“Aaron was a great teammate and his road to the NHL is like no other,” wrote Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin on the book’s front cover.

Click here for more on Volpatti’s career from Wikipedia.

Volpatti will hold a book launch and signing session Friday, Nov. 4 at The Roster Sports Club Bar and Grill from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

The following is a news release issued by The Roster, previewing Aaron Volpatti’s new book and his signing session in Vernon on Nov. 4.

Aaron Volpatti, a local Vernonite, was never supposed to play in the NHL.

As an average, undersized youth hockey player, Aaron had to fight his way, literally, into competitive hockey. But in the early hours of April 20, 2005, he found himself in a very different fight – a fight for his life after a devastating campfire burn injury while camping with his Vernon Vipers teammates.

In one of the most inspirational comeback stories in professional sports, FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds offers a riveting account of Volpatti’s journey from the Vancouver General Hospital Burn Unit to the NHL, and his life creating a new path for himself after a career-ending neck injury.

It is a story filled with adversity, personal triumph, grief, terror, and ultimately, happiness. And on November 4, get an autographed copy when The Roster Sports Club Bar and Grill hosts Volpatti’s book launch and signing from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. in The Roster lounge.

In 2005, after a campfire accident left him with second- and third-degree burns over 40 per cent of his body, Volpatti was told his hockey goals would have to be benched and thought his hockey dream was over. But after a call from his coach saying an Ivy League university was interested in him, he overcame the pain to pursue his passion.

“If you’re telling me it’s going to hurt, well I’ve already been through that,” recalled Volpatti in a conversation with his doctors. “I was willing to die before giving up on that dream.”

And that moment put him on the path to discovering what was truly possible through visualization and creating a deep sense of belief in oneself.

Volpatti went on to attend Brown University in Rhode Island, earning a bachelor’s degree in human biology on the way. By 2010, Volpatti received his first NHL call up, signing a multi-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks at the age of 24.

Over his professional hockey career, Volpatti played 114 NHL games for the Canucks and the Washington Capitals before a neck injury ended his career in 2015. After the end of his pro career, Volpatti experienced a loss of identity, and went through some spiritual adversity. But the same grit that saw him live his dream of being in the NHL took him to the next level.

Volpatti said when he reflects on his career and the adversity he faced, he realized there was a fighter inside all of us.

“While writing my book, I began working as a cognitive performance coach for athletes, teaching my unique visualization techniques to help others cope with performance anxiety, lack of confidence, and self doubt. It’s been very rewarding, and this book has been a catalyst for that. I am very excited to share my story in hopes it will inspire others,” he said.

Volpatti’s book launch and signing will run from 7:30 – 10 p.m. as a come-and-go at The Roster Sports Club Bar and Grill on November 4. Forty per cent of the book sale proceeds for the first 54 days (Volpatti’s number with the Canucks) will go to support The B.C. Professional Fighters Burn Fund.

During the book launch evening, The Roster will offer a burger and beverage option where $5 will go to the burn fund. In addition, The Roster is also hosting a squash tournament that weekend with 50 per cent of the entry fees going to the burn fund.

If you can’t make the book launch, the book: FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds will be available on Amazon.ca.