York University Lions men's hockey head coach Russ Herrington announced on Friday that the team has signed Kaleb Dahlgren, a forward from the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
 
Dahlgren has been on Herrington's radar since last August and was highly recommended by former Lions assistant captain Mark Cross, who was an assistant coach in Humboldt this past season. Dahlgren was involved in the tragic bus crash last month that ultimately took Cross's life, but has been working hard to overcome a number of serious injuries and is now looking ahead to resuming his hockey career.
 
"Kaleb is a remarkable young man who fits the type of character person we are recruiting here to York. He is a terrific student and very active in his community," said Herrington. "Mark's recommendation and constant campaigning on Kaleb's behalf were a big reason why we had decided to make Kaleb an offer to become a Lion even before the accident.
 
"We were fortunate enough to visit with Kaleb on the first day he received a day pass from the rehabilitation hospital, and myself and [assistant coach] Jesse Messier took five players to Saskatoon to have breakfast with Kaleb and his parents, where we delivered the letter of intent in person. We are honoured that Kaleb has decided to follow in Mark's footsteps and become a Lion. We are very much looking forward to him making a full recovery and joining us here at York when he is able."
 
On the ice, Dahlgren had a career year with the Broncos. He was selected as an assistant captain by his teammates before the season and went on to play in 48 games and finish sixth in team scoring with 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists). Prior to joining Humboldt, he spent two full seasons with the Notre Dame Hounds in the SJHL and, before that, with the Battleford Stars in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMHL).
 
Dahlgren is an inspiration to many as a strong athlete who also has Type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at the age of four. The reason why he moved to Humboldt from Wilcox, Sask. – where the Hounds play – this past season was because he wanted to play in a larger community so he could start a program called Dahlgren's Diabeauties, where he supports local kids who also have diabetes.
 
Dahlgren is signed for the 2018-19 season and has targeted a return to the ice for this fall. His offer with the Lions is open for as long as necessary while he continues his rehabilitation, and the entire York community looks forward to welcoming him to the family whenever he is ready.