Some concerning news out of the WHL yesterday that seemed to get overlooked with all the NHL Trade Deadline hoopla. However this news is more important than any of that. It is a life or death situation in a Saskatchewan hospital as Kootenay Ice left winger, and Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon is in critical condition with a case of bacterial meningitis.
Via a press release from the Kootenay Ice and the WHL:
Tim Bozon was admitted to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on Saturday, March 1 and has been diagnosed with Neisseria Meningitis. Tim’s parents, Phillippe and Helene Bozon, have been with him at the hospital in Saskatoon since arriving on Sunday from their home in Cureglia, Switzerland. The family has indicated to the WHL that Tim’s condition is critical.
Public health officials are in the process of reviewing the case to ensure all the necessary precautions are taken and anyone who had direct contact with the player receives appropriate treatment.
The 19-year-old was traded to Kootenay, from the Kamloops Blazers in November. He was drafted by the Canadiens in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry draft.
Phillippe Bozon, Tim’s father, played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues.
According to the CBC, health officials have confirmed that several players from different teams, as well as various coaches, and WHL officials that may have been in contact with Bozon have been given an antibiotic. There have been no other reported cases at this point in time.
“For meningitis only close contacts who may have come in contact with oral secretions are considered,” the CBC quoted health officials as saying in a release.
“Usually for sporadic cases that just means household contacts. In case of sports teams it becomes a bit more complicated because teams may share water bottles etc., and be in close contact with teams they play against; so other teams and referees are also being considered close contacts.”
We at LWOS send our thoughts and prayers to Tim Bozon, his family, teammates, coaches, colleagues, friends and fans. Get well soon, Tim!
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