February 10, 1981 was a day that transformed the life of a young man, a young man who was a Lakehead University student and hockey player. The young man's name was Irmo Marini and he was 23 years old that night as his Lakehead NorWesters were playing against the Thunder Bay Twins. The event that changed his life was a headfirst collision into the boards during the second period of the game that left Marini paralyzed from the waist down. Instead of letting this tragedy hold him back, Irmo has achieved an incredible level of success in his personal and professional life, becoming a role model for all and becoming one of Lakehead University's most distinguished alumni.
On January 4, 2003, Lakehead University and the Lakehead Thunderwolves Men's Hockey Team are very proud to honour this distinguished Lakehead graduate and athlete by officially retiring his No. 7 jersey in a special pre-game ceremony before the non-conference game against the Alberta Golden Bears.
Irmo was born and raised in Thunder Bay and began playing hockey when he was six years old. He played for the Fort William Canadiens Minor hockey organization in the Bantam, Midget, and Junior Ranks where he was constantly in the Top 10 scorers each season. He also wrestled and won gold in the 168 pound class, and played football at Selkirk High School. Marini was selected as a member of the Thunder Bay Junior All-Stars that played the visiting Ottawa 67s. He joined the NorWesters in 1978-1979 and played for three seasons.
Marini remembers the day of his accident well. "It was the last minute of the second period and I jumped off the bench after a puck that was in open ice past the Twin defenseman. It gave me a breakaway and my friend Rob Antoniazzi (on the Twins) was right behind me. I got off a shot that was deflected in the far corner and proceeded to skate around the net. I didn't make it and instead careened headfirst into the end boards. I was conscious but knew something was very wrong and felt an excruciating neck pain. My helmet was down over my eyes and cut into my nose. I was removed safely off the ice on a flat board and transferred to McKellar hospital. I was not one to replay the whole event over in my mind with a what if scenario."
Marini used the discipline that had served him well in hockey to endure a difficult spinal operation which saw his lung collapse and forced him to be on a respirator for a month. Marini then went through many hours of physiotherapy to strengthen his arms and to learn to adjust to life in a wheelchair. Marini said that the support of family and friend was crucial during this difficult time of his life. "This was an extremely rough time for me as one minute you are able bodied and in excellent shape, the next minute you are lying in a hospital bed with very little arm function. My three weeks of hospitalization in Thunder Bay made me appreciate the importance of social support. I was deeply moved by the hundreds of get well cards, flowers, stuffed animals and such sent to me by the other athletic teams, LUs administration, family, friends, and members of the teams we played against."
Marini said that the support of his then girlfriend, now wife, Darlene (nee Bragnalo) was the key to his recovery and all the success he has achieved in his life so far. "She inspired me to give life a shot again, especially since I thought it was over. I felt that if she wasn't going to give up on us, then I had no right to as well. All my accomplishments since the accident have more or less been to prove that she was right. Every time I win an award, publish an article, or do well in my private practice, I do it more for her than for me."
After rehabilitation, Marini continued on with his education at Lakehead, getting his Bachelor's and Honours Bachelor's Degrees, then obtaining his Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1987. Marini was hired as La