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82 Days After Accident, Gauthier Is Back In Action
 ESCANABA---He just laid there, on his back, on the ice, for what seemed like an eternity. Dylan Gauthier, a freshman on the Escanaba High School hockey team, suffered a severe injury as the Eskymos were playing in a tournament in downstate Chelsea. He laid there with blood gushing out of his leg, where his skate had made a huge, deep cut. There was so much blood loss that after the ambulance finally arrived to take Gauthier to the hospital, the Zamboni had to come out and clean up the blood from behind the net. That was the night of February 7th, 2013. 
Dylan Gauthier is helped by teammate Quintin McCarthy (20) and Coach Tim McCarthy seconds after the Feb. 7 accident.
But just 82 days later, on May 1st, 2013, the 15-year-old Gauthier was back in action, golfing 18 holes alongside his older brother and his Escanaba Eskymo teammates. It is a remarkable story of hard work, dedication, and a lot of support from his family and friends, that led Gauthier from an emergency room at the University of Michigan Medical Center, to the first tee at the Escanaba Country Club. And in just an unbelievable 82 days. "The kid could have died there," Eskymo Head Golf Coach Brian Robinette said. "I can hardly believe how fast he's recovered. It's a remarkable story for a freshman to be able to do that, and to stay as positive as he did. To religiously go to physical therapy, to keep his grades up after missing so much school. It is incredible." For his part, the soft-spoken Gauthier doesn't remember much about that horrific accident, which happened after he chased after a loose puck into the Hartland zone. "I just remember skating down the ice, and I don't remember hitting the boards at all," Gauthier said. "I looked at my leg, and I just started calling the coaches over. I ended up slicing my Achille's tendon and breaking my tibula and fibula." 
Dylan returtns to the Wells Sports Complex for the first time after his hockey accident.
And after the accident happened on the ice, they all piled into the van and made the heartbreaking trip to Ann Arbor, the last few hours of it during a heavy snowstorm. Gauthier underwent emergency surgery in the late-night hours of February 7th, and was in the hospital for a week. And he had to go back to Ann Arbor for a second surgery, and had to make several more follow-up visits. In fact, Gauthier will have to go back downstate again in mid-June for another follow-up visit. So, fast forward to May 1st, 2013...this past Wednesday. How could this young man be on a golf course, shooting 18 holes, just 82 days after this horrific accident? "I don't know, the surgery just went well, I guess," Gauthier said. "And I've been rehabbing it pretty good. I've been doing three hours each week, and I'm in the pool right now! I've been working the Achille's tendon and am trying to build the leg up." Gauthier's older brother Mark has been by Dylan's side most of the way, helping him with the rehab. Mark Gauthier is an Eskymo alum and plays golf at Finlandia University in Hancock. He was Finlandia's Most Valuable Player during the 2012 season. 
The entire Gauthier family was there with Dylan on "Parents Night" in Wells, eight days after the accident in Chelsea.
"Then he started using a stationary bike, and now he does a ton of work in the pool. And any time he walks, well, that's rehab right there." Dylan Gauthier played 18 holes of golf on Wednesday, the first day that he was medically cleared to play. His score did not count, but he shot a 79 under poor weather conditions. That score would have been tied for seventh if it had counted. "My putting was pretty bad, but everything else was good," Dylan said. "I thought I wasn't going to be playing for a while. Kind of early, I guess. I'm back already!" Indeed. And Robinette is thrilled to see the progress that his freshman has made. "I watched him play three or four holes, and most of his shots came close to the green," Robinette said. "He had problems with his short game, but just having him there is incredible. He had it in his mind that he was going to play golf. And he never got down, he kept plugging along. Dylan is mentally-strong and has a serious work ethic." Robinette also says that some of the credit for Dylan's quick recovery goes to Gauthier's family. It is about as tight of a family as you'll find, with father Mark, mother Mary, brother Mark, and sister Taylor all playing big roles in Dylan's recovery. 
Gauthier on ECC fareway on Wednesday.
In fact, for a while, Dylan couldn't sleep in his bed because he had to keep his leg elevated. So, they fixed up a recliner to serve as a temporary bed. But all of that is behind him now. And Dylan Gauthier is ready to play some golf , and then some football this fall, and, yes, some hockey in the winter. The Michigan High School Athletic Association has approved a request to allow Gauthier to use a golf cart to get around the courses for the rest of this season. That's because even with his tremendous medical progress, Dylan still can't walk the entire course without pain. Gauthier's first time in varsity competition will likely be next Thursday (May 9) at the Northern Michigan Bank Championships at the Escanaba Country Club. The Eskymos have a meet on Tuesday (May 7) as well, but it's in Wisconsin, and it is unclear whether the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association allows the use of golf carts. Either way, Gauthier will be on the course at some point in the near future, once again representing Escanaba High School athletics. He says that he's not nervous at all, since he's been golfing "pretty much my whole life". One thing is certain. Even though he may be effectively golfing on just one leg for now, Dylan Gauthier will make an impact on the Eskymo team this spring. "I'm happy to see him back," Robinette said, "and for a selfish reason as the coach: I need him!" 
Escanaba freshman Dylan Gauthier retrieves his ball after playing a practice round on Wednesday.
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