OTD IN BRUINS HISTORY: Tragedy struck and Normand Leveille's promising career was cut way too short
40 years ago today, tragedy struck young forward Normand Leveille of the Boston Bruins.
On October 23rd, 1982, during the first intermission of a road game against the Vancouver Canucks, Leveille complained of feeling dizzy and having pain in both shoulders. Once the team trainers began looking at him, he passed out and was immediately rushed to a local hospital.
Doctors diagnosed Leveille with a brain aneurysm, and he was rushed into emergency surgery in an effort to save his life. Leveille was then in a coma for three weeks and was in the hospital for another three weeks after.
He eventually recovered and was able to walk again; unfortunately, his promising NHL career was over at the young age of 19. The doctors later confirmed that the aneurysm was caused by a congenital disorder and not an on-ice incident.
Normand Leveille was originally selected 14th overall by the Bruins in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft and recorded 14 goals and 19 assists in 66 games during his rookie season. Before the tragedy, Leveille had registered 9 points in 9 games in his second season with the Bruins.
13 years later, the Boston Bruins invited Léveillé to the closing ceremonies of the Boston Garden on September 26th, 1995. Accompanied by Bruins captain Ray Bourque, Leveille was able to skate on the Garden ice one last time.
Re-live the moment below:
