Back in September, Aaron Rops and Patrick Medd were enjoying a fun day on the Medd farm near Watford riding on an ATV and a dirt bike.
 

Unfortunately Aaron rolled the ATV, severely injuring his leg. Patrick, who was behind him, jumped off his bike and without any first aid training, took off his shirt and used it as a bandage to slow down the bleeding of the badly damaged leg.

He then called his mother at the farmhouse and then called 911. Patrick kept talking to Aaron to keep him awake until his mother arrived and then ran to the road to direct the paramedics to the back of the farm.
 

Aaron was taken to Petrolia hospital and then airlifted to Sick Children’s Hospital in London. Since that time Aaron has made a steady recovery and according to his father the leg is now 70 to 75 percent.
 

The two boys, who are grade six students at St. Peter Canisius School in Watford, were honored in October at a Sarnia Sting game, as both are avid Sting fans.
 

However, the Sting also promised to treat the two families to a National Hockey League game.
 

So earlier this month, Aaron, along with parents, Mike and Chris, and Patrick, and his parents, Dan and Gabriela went to Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena to watch the Detroit Red Wings play the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa is Aaron’s favourite NHL team.

“We found out back in October the Sting was going to do this for us and ever since the boys were very excited and looking forward to it,” said Mike Rops. “I know before the limo arrived at our house, Aaron was out pacing the street waiting for it to arrive. It was a trip of a lifetime for all of us.”
 

At the game the parents sat in section 217 while the two boys were in the lower bowl in section 116. “I think those two tickets belonged to Jiri Fischer, who used to play for the Red Wings,” said Mr. Rops. “Both the boys thought the seats were great.”
 

After the game the boys got to meet players from both teams.

“When the game finished, Mark Glavin (Sting public relations director) took us to meet Pat Verbeek, who is a scout for the Wings. Pat then took us outside the Senator’s dressing room. We met between 12 to 15 Ottawa players and also the general manager, Bryan Murray. The players were very friendly and several of them, including Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredson talked to the boys.”
 

Mr. Rops said then it was time to meet the Red Wings.
 

“The boys got to go right into the Wing’s dressing room. They were very excited about that. We were in there for a good hour. We also got to meet the coach Mike Babcock. Again, all the players we very friendly and chatted with the boys.”

After that the families got back in the limo for the ride home to Watford.
 

“It was well after midnight before we got home. We had to stop for a few snacks on the way home,” joked Mr. Rops.

Mr. Rops says he can’t thank the Sting organization enough for what they have done for their son.
 

“The Sting put this trip together and it was an awesome experience. We owe the Sting a big thank you. We took lots of pictures and to meet the NHL players was great. The two families plan to put something together in the form of photos to give to the Sting.”

But even more important than just the game, Mr. Rops said, “The trip was something to keep Aaron focused. The accident caused his physical abilities to be curtailed for awhile and he needed the trip for his state of mind.”
 

Mr. Rops also reports his son is improving.
 

“Like I said earlier, the leg is back 70 to 75 per cent. In fact he just got back from physio at Petrolia hospital. He also is doing exercises at home and doing much better. He is back skating with his team although he is not playing. He’s also been able to do some things at gym class in school.”
 

And Mr. Rops reports despite an off-season for the Sting, the boys are still big Sting fans.
 

“We’ve been to three or four games this season and the boys just love to wear the Sting jerseys the team gave them. There was even one more in London where we sent to watch the Sting play the Knights.
 

“What really impressed me was the fact most of the Sting players recognized Aaron and Patrick and came up and said hello. That meant a lot to all of us.”
 

Bill Abercrombie, vice-president of operations for the Sting said, “As part of our community outreach, it is important to recognize the extraordinary deeds of heroism in our community.”
 

STING NOTES
 

-         The Sting returns to league action Thursday night when they host the Kitchener Rangers at 7:35 p.m. at the RBC Centre. It is the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this season. Kitchener has won two of the three games. (The Sting will be making a cheque presentation to the Sarnia Girls Hockey Association prior to the game).

-         Sarnia has just eight games remaining in the season, including five home games.

-         Ex-Sting goalie Adam Courchaine was named the OHL’s player of the week. He posted three victories, had two shutouts, a 1,67 goals against average and a .955 save percentage for the Erie Otters.

-         He began making 37 saves in a 1-0 shootout win over Mississauga. He followed that up with a 44 saves performance in a 5-2 win over Ottawa. The next night he celebrated 21^st birthday with a 6-0 win over Belleville, making 36 saves. Courchaine is only the second goalie this season to be named player of the week.

-         Sting rookie forward Tyler Peters was runner-up to Courchaine. Peters had nine points in four games, including four goals and five assists. The highlight was a career-high five-point game against Sudbury. Peters was named first star in a 6-2 victory.