Kevin Mitchell
Special to The Morning Star
The Vernon Piranha Hockey Club can91裸聊视频檛 wait for Ray Preikschas to return to action.
He can play in goal, patrol right or left wing and even play some defence.
In the meantime, the popular arborist is recovering from a life-theatening heart attack he suffered seven days before Christmas.
Preikschas had a Type A Aortic Dissection, a severe condition where his aorta ruptured from his heart down into his left leg. Urgently rushed to Kelowna General Hospital, Preikschas underwent a six-hour open heart surgery and a vascular bypass surgery, bravely fought by a team of dedicated doctors.
91裸聊视频淲e miss him,91裸聊视频� said Piranha forward Eli Johnson. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 pretty shocking and surprising what he went through. He91裸聊视频檚 been playing with us for about 15 years and everybody likes him. He91裸聊视频檚 a funny guy and he91裸聊视频檚 totally a utility player who can play every position. Pre-COVID, he went in net and we won the 3-on-3 league.91裸聊视频�
The six-foot-four-inches tall Preikschas, who is affectionately known as The Viking and Big Red Machine, has been on the mend at home with his wife Victoria.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 doing OK,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e maybe done too much at times. They say there is a 12-week recovery time, but my right hand was hurt during surgery and I91裸聊视频檓 arborist, so I may need more time.91裸聊视频�
Preikschas was working with two employees and near the home owner when he suffered the heart attack. The home owner called 9-1-1.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not sure how I got through it all,91裸聊视频� said Preikschas, who was born in Kitchener, Ont. and began his arborist career in North Vancouver.
He calls his teammates 91裸聊视频渁ll great guys91裸聊视频� and isn91裸聊视频檛 surprised they have organized a benefit dinner and dance for Friday, March 22 at the Elks Lodge Hall.
91裸聊视频淚 miss them all and I can91裸聊视频檛 wait to see them at the benefit.91裸聊视频�
As for choosing his favourite hockey position, he paused and then said with a laugh: 91裸聊视频淚 really like scoring highlight-reel goals but I also like flashing the leather.91裸聊视频�
Being self-employed, Preikschas has no insurance so will be without a paycheque for a few months.
91裸聊视频淟et91裸聊视频檚 come together to show Ray our love and support during this challenging time,91裸聊视频� reads the benefit poster.
The Sunday Night Chiefs, who play in the slot before the Piranha, got involved in the benefit by purchasing a Connor McDavid jersey for the silent auction.
91裸聊视频淕ary Woitzik owns the Beyond Belief escape rooms in Vernon and he used to have axe throwing,91裸聊视频� said Chiefs91裸聊视频� defenceman Greg Thalheimer. 91裸聊视频淩ay would give him stumps for his axe throwing and they became friends. A few of the guys, including Gary, play with Ray on Friday nights at (Priest Valley Arena).91裸聊视频�
Winger Kevin Mitchell, who skates with the early-shift FT Academy Sunday night, contacted former Little League teammate Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oiler GM helped out by getting McDavid to autograph the jersey for the silent auction.
91裸聊视频業91裸聊视频檝e got a friend who is making stools for the silent auction,91裸聊视频� said Preikschas.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 made stools with a seat, three legs and a Piranha logo. I think he ended up with three but he was shooting for four.91裸聊视频�
All proceeds will go directly to Preikschas to assist with his recovery and expenses. Preikschas, who has no previous heart issues, said he did fairly well on GoFundMe. Moving forward, donations will be accepted via etransfer to r.preikschas@icloud.com.
There will be loads of music at the benefit featuring Gonzalez and The Gringo, and Groovealicious, both of Kelowna. The final act will be The Bone of Vernon.
Tickets, at $30 each, will be available online at with a limited number available at the door.
A buffet dinner begins at 5:30 with entertainment following at 6:30.
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