The former NHL player who became a firefighter helped save a life

Lewis’ citizen must make a short escape During the May 28 fire He thanked firefighters who saved his life, including former NHL large-scale defender Matthew Bron.

“I am just happy to be free. I did not realize how close I was to death, “said Dominic Hamelin, 50.

Thanks to the quick intervention of firefighters in the Rs Augustine-carrier, Mr. Hemelin is still alive. The other person escaped unharmed.

At the Cardiospatial Arrest, Mr. Hemelin was quickly noticed by trained firefighters as the first responders.

“We’re glad to see you,” said Luis de la Durande, Lewis’ director of fire.

Coincidentally, Mr. One of the two firefighters who entered the house to save Hamilin was Matthew Bron, a former NHL defender and proud member of the Lock-Saint-Charles department in Quebec. He has 253 appearances in major leagues, and he played in the professional rankings until 2010 in Germany.

Brown made his debut in New York Islanders’ uniform. He also played for Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers and the Washington Capitals.

He was selected in the first round with the Los Angeles Kings in 1998.

He has been with Lewis as a firefighter since 2015.

Lifeless

On May 28, he and his teammate Jean-Sébastien Boulanger, who were also involved in the rescue operation, told Mr. They found Hemelin lying on the floor unresponsive in his room. The former hockey player carried the man on his back and walked out.

“His strength as a hockey player was useful in getting me out of there,” said the Lewis citizen, who was dumbfounded to know the firefighter’s past.

“I was told I was privileged because they rarely had the opportunity to shake hands with someone as addicted to carbon monoxide as I was,” said Mr Nicknamed “cat” at the hospital. Said Hemelin. .

“I’m very disappointed. Thank you so much, mob. I’m so happy,” he said several times.

In a coma

Survivors do not remember the events that led to the fire that broke out at 5:13 p.m. When firefighters arrived, the fire was spreading to the second floor.

Lewis’ citizen woke up in the hospital. After falling into an artificial coma, he was treated in the hyperbaric chamber. He was discharged from the hospital two weeks ago.

“Today, to see you, I shudder. This is really one Feeling Special. This is a good support job. This is why we do this work: it is to help the world. It’s something we will remember for the rest of our lives, ”said Matthew Brown.

Thirty firefighters took part in the intervention.