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Neil Doef, Junior A player with spinal cord injury, participating in Pan-Am Games torch relay

Neate Sager
 Doef, 17, plans to enrol at Princeton in 2016-17
Doef, 17, plans to enrol at Princeton in 2016-17

Just try not to get inspired by the sight of Neil Doef, more than four months removed from his spinal cord injury, sitting up on the couch with his mother and father, Bobbi-Jean and Bruce.

The former star of the Junior A Smiths Falls (Ont.) Bears and Princeton University hockey recruit is continuing to make progress after the medical catastrophe that befell him when he was checked into the boards on Dec. 14 while playing in the World Junior A Challenge. As it turns out, in two months' time Doef, who is "able to accomplish limited assisted walking," will participate in the Pan-Am Games torch relay.

From Laurie Weir:

Neil will be taking part in a 200-metre stretch as it hits [Smiths Falls on July 2] during this leg of the event. The Relay will make its final stop on July 10, at the Pan Am Games opening ceremony in Toronto.

... Before his move back to Smiths Falls, Neil had been making day trips home from Ottawa. He was home for the Smiths Falls Bears Fan Appreciation Night – their final game of the season. Of the attention he’s been receiving, Neil says it’s not as nerve-racking now as it once was.

“It was hard at first, but it’s getting easier… one day at a time and see what the day brings, I guess.”

... Neil is now able to accomplish limited assisted walking and has some independence. He is still undergoing rehab: twice a week in Ottawa (Monday and Friday) and twice a week in Smiths Falls (Tuesday and Thursday).

Doctors are happy, and astounded with Neil’s determination and tenacity to get back on his feet. (Smiths Falls Record News)

More than $200,000 was raised from various fundraising initiatives, including DoefStrong, which has helped cover the cost of Doef's rehabilitation and the family moving to a more wheelchair-accessible home in the eastern Ontario community. Just how grievous the physical harm Neil Doef suffered should not be Disneyfied, but it is good see the young man, who is still intent on enrolling at Princeton in 2016, continue to provide a rallying point.

Doef also performed the ceremonial faceoff on Friday prior to a game at the Fred Page Cup, the eastern Canada Junior A champoionship.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.