Hurley’s heroics help Rockets forward to WHL’s Humanitarian of the Year

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 3, 2024.

The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that Kelowna Rockets forward Ty Hurley has been named Humanitarian of the Year, which recognizes players’ contributions to the communities they play in.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Shane Smith was one of four finalists nominated for the award.

While players are often honoured for pre-planned contributions like local charity efforts, Hurley’s quick, live-saving actions at a hotel pool during a team road trip led to his recipiency.

During a December road trip Hurley noticed a man struggling in a hotel pool and jumped into the water to pull the man out.

It was at this time Hurley discovered the man was not breathing and he immediately began to perform CPR. After a tense 15 to 20 chest compressions, the man began breathing on his own.

Hurley and his teammates provided the man support until EMS arrived to transport him to hospital.

For his life-saving actions Hurley was presented with the Silver Medal of Merit and the M.G. Griffiths Awards by the Lifesaving Society, B.C and Yukon.

“I want to give a shout-out to my teammates with Kelowna, I love them all, I get to spend every second with them throughout the year,” Hurley said. “They put a smile on my face every day when I walk into the arena. Lastly, I want to thank my parents, my family and friends – I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Hurley recorded 10 points in 49 games with the Rockets this season and was originally a fourth-round pick of the Swift Current Broncos in the 2019 WHL Draft.

The WHL Humanitarian of the Year Award was voted upon by WHL general managers and members of the media.