Montreal Canadiens prospect and Kootenay Ice forward Tim Bozon has been discharged from Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Friday after falling ill late last month with a form of acute bacterial meningitis.
Last week, the condition of the 19-year-old was listed as critical but stable and improving as he battled Neisseria Meningitidis. At one point after being admitted to the hospital he was in a medically induced coma.
"From what I have learned since coming out of the coma, the people here at the Royal University Hospital went to amazing lengths to save my life," Bozon said at a news conference Friday, according to the website juniorhockey.com. "To them, first and foremost, my heartfelt thanks. But I must also extend gratitude to everyone who sent me their thoughts and prayers, especially my parents, who rushed here from France to be by my side."
Bozon will continue to undergo rehabilitation after his discharge. The Western Hockey League has established a trust fund to assist the Bozon family with medical and rehabilitation costs.
"We are optimistic he will make a full recovery but it will take some time before that possibility could be realized," his neurologist, Dr. Gary Hunter, said.
Bozon, who has been hospitalized since early March, is expected to drop the ceremonial puck at Game 6 of Kootenay's playoff series against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
Bozon scored 30 goals and had 32 assists and 34 penalty minutes in 50 games this season with the Ice.
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