On August 6, 2014, Burnsville hockey player Cole Borchardt (above right, with younger brother Cade) was seriously injured in a car accident that killed Ty Alyea, 17, and injured two other classmates.
Former Burnsville hockey player Cole Borchardt is on the road to recovery after last summer’s tragic car accident
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 February 2015 16:34
By John Hamre
Let’s Play Hockey Guest Columnist
This is a positive story about support and healing and determination. This is a story about a youngster’s positive attitude, strength and determination. This is a story about a recent high school graduate who possesses an infectious smile that cannot be taken away. This is ultimately a story of a journey, very much still in progress, and being shared by so many people in order to find, provide and support the power and courage to heal together.
This is the story of Cole Borchardt.
The past cannot be changed. Unfortunately, there are parts of this story that are tragic and painful. So much of Cole’s story is ultimately positive. It is a story about the power of support a family has received from a community, and from his friends, family, teachers, coaches and many that before were strangers to him and his family.
Cole continues his amazing journey of recovery, with a long ways to go and his ultimate recovery still to be determined. For those that know Cole, his smile and eyes tell you his recovery will be an amazing story of healing, and he will have a great positive impact upon others in his life’s journey.
Cole Borchardt graduated from Burnsville High School in the class of 2014. His favorite activities have included hockey, baseball, golf, Frisbee-golf, badminton and volleyball. Hockey is his first sport of passion. Cole’s immediate family, and sources of support and inspiration, includes parents Heidi and Bret and his younger brother by two years, Cade.
Cole played Mite hockey all the way up through high school hockey in Burnsville. In his sophomore season, he was a ‘swing junior varsity/varsity’ player. In his junior and senior years, he played on Burnsville’s varsity, and as a senior was named an assistant captain. At Burnsville, Cole played on a line with Division I prospects Tyler Sheehy and Brock Boeser. Combined in his junior and senior seasons, he played in 56 varsity games, recording 33 goals and 63 assists for 96 points.
In the summer of 2013, prior to his senior year in high school, Cole attended the 2013 USA Hockey National 17 Development Camp in Buffalo, N.Y. He recorded one goal and three assists in five games, playing with and against the best 17-year-old players in the country. Cole was a legitimate college hockey prospect – a talented athlete with legitimate aspirations to continue playing hockey at elite levels.
Having graduated from Burnsville in 2014 as a ‘young senior’ of 17, Cole had planned on playing the 2014-15 season in junior hockey in order to continue his development and physical maturation for the college game. Last summer, Cole was in the process of determining where he would begin his junior hockey career, in either the USHL or NAHL.
It is often said that “life happens while you’re busy making plans.” One’s life plans can change in an instant. A person’s response can then reveal character, strength and one’s inner being.
On August 6, 2014, Cole and three of his closest friends spent a hot summer’s afternoon swimming and cliff diving in the Cannon River, in Cannon Falls, Minn. It was a great day of fun among high school friends. On their way home, a terrible and tragic automobile accident occurred.
At 9:40 pm, the SUV that the four were traveling in lost control. It was an accident; there was no alcohol, and no drugs involved, and it was not caused due to speed – it was an accident. It occurred on northbound Highway 52, at 180th Street in Coates, Minn. The vehicle rolled multiple times before coming to rest. The two boys in front of the vehicle, both wearing seatbelts, survived the accident. The two boys in the rear of vehicle, for whatever unfortunate reason were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle.
One of the two who was ejected, Ty Alyea, was sadly and tragically pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Cole was also ejected from the car. He sustained massive injuries to his entire body and significant brain trauma and injury.
I spoke with Cole on New Year’s Day at the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, Minn. Cole keeps a schedule and day planner with him in his wheelchair throughout the day. He has a full regimen of daily therapy, beginning at 7 a.m. upon waking. He begins his day by brushing his own teeth. After breakfast, therapy begins at 9 a.m., and lasts until 5 p.m. After dinner, his days end going to sleep at 10 p.m.
The complexity of injuries, and Cole’s healing progress to date, is amazing. The combination of brain and physical injuries require tremendous patience in healing. Motor skills cannot be relearned until broken bones have healed. Tracking Cole’s body weight is one simple measure of progress, of which Cole is now particularly proud of. “I gained 20 pounds!” Cole exclaimed, now reporting his weight to be up to around 175 pounds.
Many pictures adorn Cole’s room at Courage Kenny. There are pictures of high school friends, from school activities and at his graduation last spring. There is a picture from a summer baseball team, a picture with linemates Sheehy and Boeser at the playing of the National Anthem, pictures with family members, and pictures with friends and family from all settings and activities Cole enjoyed and hopes to someday enjoy again. Pictures from the rinks, sports fields and settings in life he enjoyed with a contagious smile.
Miracles in life come about in many forms. According to Heidi and Bret Borchardt, a surgeon was traveling southbound on Highway 52 on his way to work at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and arrived on the scene nearly immediately after the accident occurred. The doctor immediately called for an airlift to a hospital for one of the survivors, Cole Borchardt, on the accident scene.
Initially there was confusion identifying the two passengers who had been ejected from the vehicle, as to who was died at the scene of the accident and who had been airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. The boys did not have identification on their bodies after being ejected from the vehicle. Best of friends, the two looked amazingly similar, having the same physiques, hair color and no identifying body marks. There were confidentiality guidelines regarding the deceased, so communication of details on identification was a challenge. Initially, it was thought that Cole was dead at the scene; both of the mothers went to the hospital to see and identify the airlifted survivor who was undergoing immediate surgery.
“A state trooper called, and said, ‘You need to come and identify his body’” Heidi Borchardt said in describing the initial communication from respondents on the accident. “Ty’s mom first figured it out. For everyone involved, it felt like it went from bad to worse to worse.”
Cole Borchardt with his parents, Bret and Heidi at Burnsville’s 2014 Senior Night.
Cole had been airlifted from the scene of the accident to Regions Hospital. He spent the next six weeks in the surgical intensive care unit, undergoing many surgeries.
The first efforts on the accident scene, by the physician en route to the Mayo Clinic, by emergency responders and the airlift team, by Dakota County Sheriffs and State Patrol members, and in initial surgeries at Regions Hospital were all directed towards life-saving measures. Cole sustained massive injuries – both his shoulders were shattered, and he sustained broken clavicles, scapulas, multiple arm and wrist bones, and knee injuries. Immediately he required a kidney and his spleen to be removed. His left arm was fractured and his right arm and wrist were broken. Yet all of these injuries perhaps paled in comparison to the brain injury and trauma sustained, and its need for immediate, life-saving medical attention.
Cole had sustained massive brain injury and trauma, and initially there was an immediate inner cranial pressure (ICP) that had to be relieved and monitored. During the initial 48 hours after this type of injury, it is critical to relieve and monitor the ICP. This is where the healing journey began. It was unknown at this stage what type of permanent brain damage could result and no long-term prognosis given. Initially, no news reported is thought to be good news; simply, one is looking for stability in medical conditions with constant monitoring. Progress is measured in the seconds, minutes, hours of stability, simply a day at a time.
Cole’s initial prognosis for recovery was at best unknown. Through August and September, his first six weeks of recovery were spent in Regions Hospital, in the intensive care unit. To give a sense of the daily hurdles to overcome over the next six weeks, medical issues and procedures included:
• Monitoring his ICP and his initial brain surgeries to relieve ICP;
• Operations to remove his spleen and one kidney;
• His abdominal incision was left open in case more procedures were needed;
• Surgery to stop internal bleeding in his abdominal cavity;
• A fourth surgery on the first day to his right arm to reduce swelling and internal pressure;
• Monitoring and treatment for infections, pneumonia and the bacterial staph infection MRSA;
• Administered antibiotics to combat all infections;
• Surgery to insert a tube to remove fluid buildup and drainage from his lungs;
• A tracheotomy performed (surgical opening created in the front of a person’s neck into the trachea to provide another means of breathing);
• Surgical procedure to add a feeding tube;
• Surgery to remove fluid drainage tube from brain;
• Monitoring for blood clots;
• Required use of breathing ventilator;
• Surgery again on right arm and wrist (right wrist initially set in surgeries immediately after accident but it wasn’t healing properly, reopened original incision and inserted additional four pins);
• Performed skin grafts to surgically repair incisions left open in upper arm;
A major step forward occurred in late August when Cole was able to sustain breathing on his own, and was able to function for limited time off of the ventilator.
In early September, Cole was being weaned from sedation. He was beginning to open his eyes occasionally, and began to have limited work done with arms and legs for initial strength rehabilitation. In mid- and late September, Cole finally responded to a smell test using ammonia, and he also responded to a few limited verbal commands. He was beginning to open eyes more frequently, and he showed a limited focus on and tracking of some activity around him.
On Sept. 18, Cole was transferred to Bethesda Hospital’s long-term acute care facility in St. Paul. He stayed there for the next six weeks, into the beginning of November. As recently as October, Cole’s overall prognosis was still very much uncertain. Due to the brain trauma he sustained, it was still very questionable what type of motor skills he would begin to display, to what extent if any, and when.
“The doctor first told us Cole’s prognosis was that he would not be able to walk or talk,” Heidi and Bret said.
Through Cole’s treatment he had been on muscle relaxants, and he had the appearance of a stroke victim. He had no mobility on the left side of his body. He was given Botox injections to the left side of his body.
“He was able to start using his left side,” Heidi and Bret said. “There had been no communication from Cole for approximately three months since the accident, and had been tracking with his eyes only a very little.”
Heidi described the first real communication Cole was able to express, to her in mid-October. She would start her day at 6:30 a.m., visiting Cole at Bethesda Hospital.
“Cole’s eyes were open. I said to him, ‘How can you look so cute?’ I asked him can you open your eyes? Can you smile? (That day) I realized he was hearing me, and he knew exactly what I was saying. This was his first real communication, and there was hope! His last two weeks at Bethesda (late October), there was more activity.”
Cole Borchardt had 33-63--96 in 56 career Burnsville varsity games.
While Cole sustained massive injuries throughout his body, and trauma and injuries to his head and brain, this is ultimately a story of his amazing healing journey and rehabilitation process, continuing to this day.
Heidi and Bret said that on the first Monday of November, Cole was transferred to Courage Kenny. In order to be admitted, he had to qualify through various tests measuring progress in his recovery to date.
“It was an absolute blessing to get Cole into the Courage Kenny center,” The Borchardts said. “It is a stretch for him, with the amount of therapy per day he has to be able to keep up with.”
Cole undergoes approximately four hours per day of physical, occupational and speech therapy. His physical therapy now includes some limited work on a stationary bike and time in a standing position with supervised assistance.Cole has had to relearn nearly every physical functioning ability – eating, speaking, as well as all movements – things most people take for granted.
“Cole is now relearning everything – how to use a spoon and fork, how to swallow. He had a feeding tube in for months,” Cole’s parents said. “There was damage to his motor skills. His speech is better now. Cole had to relearn how to eat. He didn’t know how to swallow. The physical therapist is determined to get Cole able to walk. They are helping him to learn how to use his back muscles again. It’s fortunate he is 18 years old and fit, to have survived the accident. Short term memory is a challenge, and he is sometimes confused.”
In late December, Cole was finally cleared to eat regular foods – to eat solids and drink fluids from a cup – both on his own. His feeding tube has been removed and he is now gaining back body weight.
Cole is also relearning memory skills. Part of his therapy is to play games and work with memory cards to help stimulate his memory and brain’s cognitive skills.
“Every day, Cole asks if we are getting in the car to go to practice, and if he can get new skates,” Heidi said.
He is recovering from brain trauma, and this is also insight into his long-term memories residing in his mind and heart. His passion for the game of hockey, and his inner strength also exhibited from playing the game are clearly inspirations in his healing journey.
“Recently, Cole asked about Ty, and learned he had passed in the accident. He is really struggling with this. He does remember this now,” Heidi and Bret said. “Cole was not considered in a coma, but he was not awake for months after the accident.”
Bret and Heidi described how the Alyea family went through an initial grieving process upon their son’s passing. The Borchardt’s shared that the Alyea family has been unbelievable in their support of Cole’s grieving process and his healing, now that he has recently learned of Ty’s passing.
Cole’s goal is to walk out of Courage Kenny. The hope is that sometime in the next several months he will be able to return to living at home, and continue his long-term rehabilitation therapies at Courage Kenny as an outpatient.
On Dec. 21, Cole Borchardt was released temporarily from the Courage Kenny Center’s care for the first time since the accident and was allowed to spend a couple hours at the Borchardt family’s home during Christmas time. Look closely at the accompanying picture of Cole, and his brother Cade in front of their family’s Christmas tree this year. You will see the genuine appreciation for the bond between two brothers, amongst family in the joyful time of Christmas. Their new year had already begun.
A new beginning for Cole’s life continues to emerge, one day at a time, through his healing and therapy processes ongoing.
“Doctors were initially not sure what he will be capable of,” Heidi and Bret said. “Now, Cole is defeating the odds of what was thought possible in his recovery.”
It is unknown whether, or when, Cole will be able to walk again in the short or long term. It remains a day-to-day journey as to what Cole’s future physical capabilities will be. Cole is relearning his motor skills, but it is undetermined if he will regain 100 percent of his normal functioning abilities again. At present, his left arm is not yet usable, his left leg is only regaining mobility. There is the reality that Cole must continue to show progress in his therapy rehabilitation at Courage Kenny for insurance coverage to continue. His costs for care are mounting.
“Cole has a very positive attitude, and his smile is priceless,” his parents said. “People that come to visit Cole every two to three weeks say he is making leaps and bounds in progress. You don’t always see it from day to day. Cole’s speech therapist says that his progress is blowing her out of the water, once again. His work with memory cards is definitely making progress. Every brain injury is truly unique.”
The Borchardts credit the nursing staff and therapy staff at Courage Kenny for being so amazingly supportive in Cole’s recovery. They credit all at Bethesda and Regions hospitals and for all medical persons who have helped treat and support their son.
“Jack Jablonski has been unbelievably supportive to Cole,” Heidi and Bret said. “He comes and checks on him every day he is at Courage Kenny.”
On Dec. 2, for the Burnsville vs. Benilde-St. Margaret’s high school hockey game, Jablonski helped organize and lead a fundraiser through merchandise sales called ‘Pucks for Purpose’ to support Cole. Jack also helped arrange for the Minnesota Wild to bring him and his brother signed jerseys through a visit by former Wild captain Wes Walz.
Friendship and support from the hockey community – coaches, friends he has played hockey with and against – has been “amazing,” in their words. Encouragement from fellow Courage Kenny patient Jack Jablonski, teachers, fellow students, the Minnesota Wild, and so many others have been deeply appreciated. One of Cole’s favorite players, Pavel Datsyuk, sent him a signed jersey. Hockey communities and families from Hill-Murray, Eagan, Wayzata, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, Lakeville-North, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and others have shown support in attitude and off-ice efforts when games have been played against Burnsville this high school season.
“The hockey community has been so amazing in support of Cole,” Heidi and Bret said. “Just the support, we appreciate it so much. Hundreds of people have reached out that we’ve received cards from.”
Their appreciation of support for their son and his recovery is deeply felt and heartfelt true.
Cole Borchardt is described by his closest friends and family as a ‘Christmas miracle.’ He is described to be a fighter on his healing journey, possessing great strength and determination. His smile exudes a welcoming energy, and conveys a sense of wisdom in a direct and gentle manner. I asked Cole, when he wakes up in the morning what he looks forward to most now? Cole replied with a beaming smile, “Eating breakfast!”
Additional Information on Cole Borchardt Foundation:
To support Cole Borchardt’s immediate and/or long-term rehabilitation and care needs, contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank location. Direct donations to:
‘Cole Borchardt Foundation – Account ending in 5021.’
Ty Alyea Memorial baseball tribute:
The Burnsville High School Baseball team will hold a game in honor of Ty Alyea this spring.Details:
- May 11, 2015
- Alimagnet Park, in Burnsville
- Pregame Festivities and Ceremony in honor of Ty Alyea
- 6:15 p.m. game start, Burnsville vs. Eagan
This game will be to honor and celebrate the life of Ty Alyea, who was in particular known for his outstanding baseball play in the Burnsville community.
During a 22-year coaching career, John Hamre has coached PeeWee, Bantam, high school, NCAA Division I, Junior A and minor professional hockey. He was the video coach for the 1994 USA Men’s Olympic Team, coached within the USA Hockey NTDP, and at many USA Hockey festivals. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
