The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 16, 2025
Today: April 16, 2025

Twin Cities hockey coach recovers from severe traumatic brain injury

Twin Cities hockey coach recovers from severe traumatic brain injury
March 31, 2025
Marielle Mohs - WCCO

    LAKEVILLE, Minnesota (WCCO) -- Lakeville lieutenant and Holy Family girls hockey coach, Jason Jensen, returned to the Victoria Ice Arena on Sunday for the first time since falling during a hockey practice on Jan. 31.

"To be back here is great. I love the game, I love Holy Family and I love coaching for Holy Family and being part of the school, so it's a good day," said Jensen.

Two months ago, Jensen was immediately rushed to the emergency room in critical condition after his fall.

Jensen says he doesn't remember much about what happened.

"I remember seeing my wife there, I remember seeing my family there, I remember seeing my boss showing up and those are images that click in and out, kind of like a picture book," said Jensen.

The fall caused internal brain bleeding and swelling. Jensen was sent into life-saving surgery at HCMC.

"They ended up taking a portion of his skull off, allowing that brain to decompress," said Dr. Matthew Puderbaugh, who was part of Jensen's care team.

Puderbaugh said despite how severe Jensen's brain injury was, doctors remained hopeful.

"He did have some signs that we knew were reassuring. He did follow commands early on, which we know is a good sign for recovery," said Puderbaugh.

Jensen spent the last month at a rehab facility in Chicago, where he gained back basic motor skills, memory and balance. He said his wife and two kids were the driving force to get him back home a week earlier than doctors expected.

"That was kind of my motivating factor and really why I just maintained a positive attitude to try and get out and get better," said Jensen.

While Jensen was working hard in recovery, the Holy Family varsity girls hockey team made signs for their locker room and put stickers on their helmets in honor of Jensen. Then used him as motivation to make their first state tournament appearance in program history.

"It means everything. That's why you do it. You do it for the meaningful relationships that go past hockey, right?" said Jensen.

At the time of Jensen's fall, he wasn't wearing a helmet, something common among coaching staff. But the fall prompted an immediate policy change for the Fire hockey program.

"We're only given so many months and years in this world. So I definitely wouldn't have minded having those two months back, and if wearing a helmet helps me get that, I'm more than fine with it," said Jensen.

Jensen says he still has a few more weeks of rehab back home at HCMC and plans to return to his full time job with the Lakeville Police Department investigative unit soon.

Related Articles

UConn's Geno Auriemma gives no indication of slowing down after winning 12th NCAA title South Carolina returns to the NCAA title game and gets a rematch of 2022 against Bueckers and UConn Auburn's Bruce Pearl a vocal leader of a trio of Jewish coaches with teams at the Final Four 'If they can do it, I can do it': 97-year-old Gene Wagner never misses a shift
Share This

Popular

Business|Economy|Finance|Health|Stock Markets

Abbott beats quarterly profit estimate on strong medical device demand

Abbott beats quarterly profit estimate on strong medical device demand
Food|Health|US

Baby food makers are failing Californiaโ€™s lead standards, Reuters review shows

Baby food makers are failing Californiaโ€™s lead standards, Reuters review shows
Business|Economy|Health|Political|US

Pharma companies expected to absorb any tariff hit in short term

Pharma companies expected to absorb any tariff hit in short term
Health|MidEast|Political|World

Gaza a 'mass grave' of Palestinians, says MSF, as Israeli strikes kill 13

Gaza a 'mass grave' of Palestinians, says MSF, as Israeli strikes kill 13

Health

Health|US

As depression becomes more common in the US, treatment rates vary, CDC reports show

As depression becomes more common in the US, treatment rates vary, CDC reports show
Education|Health|Lifestyle|Science

Sleep training is no longer just for babies. Some schools are teaching teens how to sleep

Sleep training is no longer just for babies. Some schools are teaching teens how to sleep
Health|Political|US

RFK Jr.'s mixed message about the measles outbreaks draws criticism from health officials

RFK Jr.'s mixed message about the measles outbreaks draws criticism from health officials
Health|World

WHO members reach deal on how the world would tackle future pandemics

WHO members reach deal on how the world would tackle future pandemics

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In