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Wheelchair-bound goalie dies
By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
Steven Kirkpatrick of Sandusky, Mich., who fulfilled a dream five months ago when he played goal in a wheelchair in a regular-season game for a minor league hockey team, died Thursday morning of a heart attack. He was 22.
Kirkpatrick suffered from muscular dystrophy and needed a ventilator to assist his breathing, but he persuaded the Indianapolis Ice to allow him to play a few seconds of a game against the Huntsville (Ala.) Tornado April 1 in Indianapolis. With the cooperation of both teams, Kirkpatrick started the game, made a save and then was replaced.
Before the event, Kirkpatrick said he wanted this opportunity to show other MD sufferers that anything is possible, and that he wanted his name to permanently be in minor league records as having played a game. That's why he insisted that he be allowed to record a save.
"It's a sad, sad, sad day," said NHL great Gordie Howe. "Thank God, he got to fulfill his dream of playing goalie in a professional hockey game. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his drive. He was a true friend of the Howes. And a part of hockey history."
He also had come to prominence for his lobbying effort to get a hockey arena built in Sandusky and named after Colleen J. Howe, wife of Gordie Howe. She is a native of Sandusky. Touched by Kirkpatrick's spirit, the Howes supported many of Kirkpatrick's endeavors, including his attempt to be in the minor league record book. They attended that game.
At the time of his death, Kirkpatrick was in the midst of his campaign to get an NHL team to let him play a few seconds in a NHL preseason game.
"Steve was an inspiration to us and so many people," Colleen Howe said. "He had an extra gusto for living. His motto was: It never hurts to ask. We truly loved him. He's one in a billion."
He gained a following through the creation of his own web site, billing himself as the world's greatest hockey fan. Howe has set up his own website, Mr.Hockey.com, to allow Kirkpatrick's friends to post remembrances about Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick acquired a large group of friends around the country. Among them was Public Label Brands CEO Ty Ballou, creator of the now-famous Flutie Flakes.
Ballou's son has muscular dystrophy and he found Kirkpatrick's zeal for life to be inspirational for him and his son. Ballou said the last time he talked to Fitzpatrick, he talked about going to Oz Fest, and having met Ozzy Osborne.
"Can you imagine how hard it was for him to get back stage?" Ballou said. "But he just refused to let his (limitations) stop him."
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