Dillon Boucher has built a reputation as a gritty player in his rookie season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

While Dillon isn’t afraid to mix it up on the ice, this season the 17-year-old learned what toughness really means off the ice by watching his father overcome some serious health issues.

It started with a phone call from his father Brad in early November.

“He told me that he got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” says Dillon. “He said November 12 he was going in for surgery and there was nothing to worry about, it would all be fine.”

The surgery was a success, but just days later an aneurysm sent Brad into the intensive care unit and then a medically induced coma. A neurologist said he would probably never wake up.

“We went to bed expecting to wake up to take him off life support, to take him off all the tubes and ventilators,” says Dillon. “We woke up that morning and mom got a call from the nurse and she told her that he opened his eyes.”

Today, Brad is still in a Halifax hospital. He has a long road ahead of him, but is expecting to be home in a matter of weeks, on the way to a full recovery.

“I’m very lucky,” says Brad. “I feel like I have a second chance here.”

Doctors can’t explain why Brad woke up from the coma and the whole experience was a difficult five months for the family.

“I’m sure it had a big effect on him (Dillon), I’m not sure how much it did because he doesn’t talk about it much,” says Brad.

“Those ten days was probably the worst ten days of my life,” says Dillon.

Through it all, Dillon has split time between being by his dad’s side and being in Cape Breton playing the game he loves, a game he and his dad have always shared. Brad coached Dillon every season until Bantam.

“It was a dream he had and he just followed it and he finally got his dream I guess,” says Brad.

The Screaming Eagles held a fundraiser for the Boucher family this weekend, raising more than $3,700.

Dillon says the support of the fans and his team has helped him through the most difficult days.

“My God, it’s so overwhelming, all the support we’ve had,” says Brad. “Not just from them, but from everyone, it’s been fantastic.”

As the underdog Eagles get ready for their first round of playoffs, Dillon is keeping his focus on what’s important.

“Before the game, I’ll give him a Facetime and he’ll tell me to play hard, hit hard,” says Dillon. “My mom will be in the background telling me to play safe.”

Father and son are both looking forward to being reunited at the rink soon.

“I’m hoping they’re still going to be in the playoffs and I can follow a little bit of his hockey,” says Brad.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Ritchie