MILTON KEYNES, UK – A devastating eye injury on Sunday night has cut short MK Thunder forward Ross Bowers’ ice hockey career in a story that has shocked the UK hockey community.
The former MK Lightning and Basingstoke Bison player sustained a serious eye injury during the final period of MK Thunder’s NIHL game against the Raiders, as a forward’s stick followed through and hit Bowers in the eye.
The Thunder man had emergency surgery but the devastating result is that he has lost the majority of the sight in the affected eye. He has been informed that even with potentially three or four more surgeries, the best he can hope for in that eye will be able to tell if a light is on.
Bowers racked up more than 500 appearances for Lightning during 11 seasons, helping the team to four playoff titles and three English Premier League titles, before playing for MK Thunder from 2015. He had planned on hanging up his skates at the end of the season. His injuries not only end his ice hockey career but will also dramatically affect his life off-the-ice too and life with with girlfriend Nicola and 13-year-old daughter Ellie.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Ross and his family, allowing those in the international hockey community and beyond who would like to make a donation, to do so: https://www.gofundme.com/ross-bowers
Everyone at Pro Hockey News wishes Ross all the best and a speedy recovery.
Contact the author: carrsy2@gmail.com
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