In February 2023, defenseman Kyle Lindholm got pulled from the ice mid-season after having a seizure that led to the discovery of a brain tumor and brain bleed. Lindholm is now back on the roster and ready for their first game against Tampa on Sept. 29.
It took a lot of hard work and determination for him to get himself back in shape mentally and physically in preparation for this season. Not only did he have to take summer classes to make up for what he missed last spring, but he also had to prepare for the physical aspect of the game.
“I was mentally ready [to play again] but my body definitely wasn’t. I had done nothing but sit for a few months and lost 30 pounds in a week. So I was super physically fatigued. But mentally I was ready and just wanted to keep going but definitely wanted to ease my way back into it for sure,” Lindholm said.
He joined a men’s league over the summer in preparation of being back on the team, and once he was able, joined his teammates in skate practices and workouts in Hertz Arena.
The team expects to make it all the way through this year after finishing last season with a 19-9 record, ranking as the #2 club team in the ACHA Men’s Division 2 Southeast Final Rankings and just narrowly missing the 2023 ACHA Division 2 Final Four.
“The whole league is getting better. And I think we are too, but we have to not only change with the league, but kind of upset that a little bit, but I love our team. We’re deep. We got talent, got three capable goaltenders. It’s gonna be fun,” Ice Hockey Club President Wyatt Engelmann said.
Both the teammates and coaches expect to go far this year, and think their tight-knit camaraderie helps push them to play better and skate harder. After some changes in staff over the summer, Eric Mabie is now the head coach of the DII team.
“I mean, a lot of teams get to the point that we got to last year, and they’re satisfied with it. But our group, it’s the total opposite. And that’s a good thing as a coach when the expectations are high,” Coach Mabie said.
Tonight will be the first time Lindholm plays in an FGCU game with this team since his injury. There will also be a ceremonial puck drop with President Aysegul Timur and a moment of silence, both to honor the passing of late student Graham McGrath.
