43 Oak Foundation Player Profile: Hunter Rush | New York Islanders and UBS Partnership
I kept saying to the doctor you understand if you clear him like we’re headed to the ice [Applause] ring when I go to 43 o I love how many trainers they have the support they have to help you be a better player Hunter is one of the newer members of the foundation him and his mom you could tell they’re just very grateful he’s a really hardworking kid he Tau you how to shoot like that my he’s a force on the ice but what I love about Hunter is that he is just a very very passionate hockey player he loves hockey he eats sleeps and breathes hockey he pushes himself to work hard in practice as the made captain of his team which was so exciting to see his coaches his trainers uh everyone that he works with uh has brought it to my attention that you know they see something special in him that he has leadership qualities that dedicated that he is just a great kid to be around and that the team is drawn to him when you’re a captain or assistant Captain normally lead warm-ups you lead stretches and you make sure everyone’s following the rules the New York Islanders have been so important to Hunter growing up he has been a huge fan since I can remember he you know dreams of being them one day and you know he dreamt of being a able to play at UBS Arena I really didn’t think about like really playing hockey I was just really thinking about like where I am right [Applause] now I love to see him push through the adversity that he’s been through and not quit cuz a lot of players would give up through some of the things that he’s been through and he didn’t he he used hockey as his uh as his vice to get through it so I’m proud of him for that his recent challenge he found out that he had a large macular hole in his right eye as a result of that lost primarily all his vision in one eye and needed to have an operation this is something that is not seen in a 13-year-old boy the doctor said it’s more common in a 65 70y Old his bravery throughout it was remarkable uh his courage that it took to go through it was amazing the recovery was something that I’ve never seen he had to be faced down around the clock for the first three weeks and after that surgery he did not return to school until this September after his recovery you know he was able to get out and about a little bit his team was traveling out of state and he insisted on showing up and being there even though he was not clear to play but he felt like he was part of that team he wanted to be there cheering them on and I can remember when we pulled up the entire team running over to him and just being you came all the way here and you can play and he was like yeah I want to be here it was a great feeling even though I wasn’t playing so with my team when the coaches were so happy to see him and he was like this just speaks volume about the type of person he is the day the doctor told us you’re cleared to play hockey and if I tell you he was like a light bulb that just went off I kept saying to the doctor you understand if you clear him like we’re heading to the ice rink and the doctor was like yes Tina he could play and he was just like let’s get my bag and stick and let’s go we headed to a skills training with 43 Oak Foundation uh that they were offering that day you could tell he was in some pain but he was still having a lot of fun out there still working hard I think him coming out and being a part of what we’re doing is awesome and again his mom has been great so appreciative and so grateful obviously the kid is just he just loves the game and he wants to get better so that’s you know that’s what we’re looking for kids who love hockey like the rest of us and want to be better at it
43 Oak Foundation player profile featuring Hunter Rush, who is a huge Islanders fan.
In 2021, UBS, the New York Islanders and UBS Arena announce a 5-year partnership with 43 Oak Foundation and a $1M commitment to increasing diversity in hockey. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/community/43oak
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