'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
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.