Former NHL’er/Viper suits up for Ironman

Jul 12, 2019 | 12:13 PM

A former NHL player who now lives in Coldstream, is taking on a grueling challenge to benefit a non-profit organization.

Aaron Volpatti, who played in the NHL for six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals, will be participating in the Ironman Canada on July 28 in Whistler to raise funds and awareness for the ALS Society of B.C.

The 34-year-old Volpatti, who played junior hockey with the Vernon Vipers, has never competed in an Ironman before but is taking on the challenge to support his dad who suffers from ALS.

“About four years ago, my dad joined me on the father/son road trip while I was playing professional hockey,” Volpatti said. “As we were boarding the plane for LA, my dad was having troubles lifting his suitcase into the overhead bin. We shared a laugh and attributed it to old age, but as the year went on things like this were happening more often. Ultimately he was diagnosed with ALS.”

He’s already raised $17,000, and hopes to have that up to $25,000 by event day.

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“As I was trying to create an event to support my dad and the ALS Society of BC, I was throwing the idea around to complete an Ironman triathlon,” he said. “Right away, people started asking me questions. ‘Can you swim?’ Not really, I sink like a rock. ‘Have you ever been on a road bike?’ Nope. ‘Do you run?’ No, I spent the first 30 years of my life on skates. As more and more people laughed and thought I was crazy, I thought this would be the perfect event. While the challenge will be nothing like my dad’s battle, it will be a great way to promote awareness.”

Volpatti, who grew up in Revelstoke, said the ALS Society of B.C. has offered amazing support to his dad, and his fundraising will support ALS patients and their families, provide funds for services and research, and create public awareness of ALS.

You can support his efforts today by donating online.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down. Someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.

There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options for the majority of people living with the disease. Approximately 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of being diagnosed.

by Pete McIntyre

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