'Get well soon': Cape Breton community rallies around Zamboni driver
People in one Cape Breton community are rallying to help their Zamboni driver as he recovers from a life-threatening health scare.
Resident Mickey McNeil and many in Dominion, N.S. are thinking about their friend and colleague John Jerrott.
“On Friday afternoon he took a really bad heart attack. They were able to do some CPR on him until the ambulance arrived. As far as I know he flat-lined a couple of times,” said McNeil.
Jerrott is known to many around Dominion as the Zamboni Driver, and is as much a part of the local arena as the hockey itself.
“Zambonis’ and the drivers are just as much as a part of the hockey world as anything. We can’t operate unless the players are here to play hockey and they can’t play hockey unless we clean the ice,” added McNeil.
Jerrott is currently in a Halifax hospital with multiple blockages, and is currently awaiting a triple by-pass.
“First of all John is family. He is family to Dominion Arena. We have a small little group here,” said arena manager John Wadden.
Wadden says the support for Jerrott and his family has been overwhelming.
“My heart is just full with joy right now,” he added.
Jerrott is not only known in the community, but has built a relationship with players and parents over the years.
“He treats everybody, whether you’re playing tots, novice or a beer leaguer with respect,” said Glace Bay Minor Hockey President James Edwards.
Glace Bay Minor Hockey players are fundraising for the family and the association plans to make a donation of their own.
“Just to show John and his family how much we appreciate and respect him,” said Edwards.
Jerrott is an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but no matter who you cheer for, people are encouraged to drop off donations at the rink or online.
“John we miss you. We love you and we are here for you and the community is here for you. Get well soon,” said Wadden
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.