Former NHLer Stephane Veilleux opens up about devastating car crash.

You probably wouldn't have guessed it based on the photo that greeted you when you first looked upon this article, but former National Hockey League forward Stephane Veilleux feels like a very lucky man.

Veilleux is currently going through a harrowing ordeal after a teenage girl driving a Toyota Highlander ran through a stop sign on June 19th and t-boned Veilleux's Nissan Rogue in the process. Veilleux had an immediate sense that something was wrong as he was unable to move his neck as a result of the impact, and as it turns out he was absolutely right.

After some time in hospital and a series of x-rays, doctors discovered that Veilleux had broken his C1 vertebrae in multiple spots and immediately moved to immobilize him to prevent further damage. 

"I’m lucky to not be paralyzed … or worse," said Veilleux as per Mike Russo of The Athletic.

Thankfully Veilleux was able to reach out to his former team, the Minnesota Wild, and get some assistance when it comes to his situation, with the decision to ultimately place him in a halo coming thanks in large part to the Wild's intervention. Previously doctors had believed that surgery was unavoidable, a situation that would have cost Veilleux nearly all mobility in his neck for the rest of his life.

Now Veilleux has 4 pins drilled into his skull and will remain in the halo for a period of at least 3 months, a terrible ordeal for any individual to have to go through. Veilleux's mobility is obviously very limited but the halo also prevents him from doing things that most of us take for granted, like laying down to go do to sleep.

In spite of his ordeal however, Veilleux has always believed himself to be lucky to have avoided anything more serious. That was truly highlighted over the weekend when brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed after being struck on the road by an alleged drunk driver. Veilleux admits that it is hard not to think about what would have happened to his family if he hadn't been so lucky.

"You think about that whole family now and what’s ahead for them, and think, ‘That could have been my family,’” Veilleux says. “Their kids are going to grow up without a father, and that could have been mine. That’s why I’m focusing on gratefulness."

It is hard not to be inspired by the tremendous courage and resilience being displayed by Veilleux on a day to day basis but, much like he did throughout his NHL career, Veilleux intends to tackle this challenge head on and will face whatever comes next with that same courage and resilience.

"Look, life is hard. Everyone is battling something. Every one of us. This is my battle now. I am optimistic. I’m staying positive. It is a little scary to know what the outcome could be if I need surgery, but I’m built to be strong."

May he make a full and speedy recovery.