High school hockey player seriously injured on ice

ATTLEBORO, Mass. — A senior at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro was seriously injured during a hockey game in West Springfield Tuesday night.

A.J. Quetta, of North Providence, went headfirst into the boards while playing Pope Francis and was unable to move, Tim Sullivan, president of Bishop Feehan, said by Zoom Wednesday.

“Right away, the game stopped,” Sullivan said. “Medical personnel were on the ice looking after AJ, and eventually he was stretchered and taken off the ice and taken to the hospital.”

>> MORE: Donations pour in for Bishop Feehan hockey player seriously injured during game

A message on a GoFundMe account set up by a family member said Quetta “might not be able to move his body again.”

AJ’s sister told Boston 25 News Wednesday night her brother was awake but unable to talk because of a breathing tube. His parents were by his side as he was being prepared for surgery, he said.

While the family is concerned about Quetta’s condition, they are hopeful about his recovery and asking others to pray for him.

The support from the community has been immense, starting with a touching gesture from Bishop Feehan’s opponent Tuesday.

“There was even a question of whether the game would go on,” Sullivan said. “But it did. And at the final horn, the Pope Francis kids invited our students to pray at center ice.”

Within hours of setting up the GoFundMe account to help cover Quetta’s medical bills, more than $185,000 had been raised.

The Boston Bruins also sent their support to Quetta in a message on social media Wednesday.

“The Boston Bruins are sending best wishes to Bishop Feehan hockey player A.J. Quetta,” the statement reads. “We are keeping A.J., his family, and the Bishop Feehan community in our hearts during this very difficult time.”

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