By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Hurricane Ryan Vandervlis in medically induced coma after weekend fire incident

Jun 18, 2018 | 12:25 PM

LETHBRIDGE —  The Lethbridge Hurricanes and the WHL released joint statements Monday morning (June 18), regarding the event involving injury to Canes players, Jordy Bellerive and Ryan Vandervlis, and team Alumnus Matt Alfaro.
 
Late Friday (June 15) night, the three young men suffered injuries involving a campfire at a property just outside of Cochrane.
 
While it was initially reported that the campfire occured during a bachelor party, it is now known that the campfre was at the family home former Hurricane Tyler Wong.
 
Bellerive and Alfaro are in stable condition in a Calgary hospital, while Vandervlis is in critical condition and has been placed in a medically-induced coma.
 
The Vandervlis family provided the following statement:
 
Our son and brother, Ryan Vandervlis, was injured at a bonfire this past weekend. We want to be clear that alcohol was not a factor in this accident.

Ryan is in a medically induced coma as he suffered severe burns to his body. He is receiving exceptional medical care in an intensive-care unit in Calgary where he remains in critical condition.

We are grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we have received and pray that Ryan will make a full recovery.

– Barb, Rene, Cara, Sean and Rachel Vandervlis

The Wong Family provided the following comment:

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On Friday evening, nine of Tyler’s friends came to our house to stay the night as they were planning to go golfing and camping on Saturday. It was not a stag or bachelor party, as has been inaccurately reported.

In starting a campfire, the accident occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Wong were present and acted quickly to transport those injured to a Calgary hospital.

We are earnestly praying for three of Tyler’s closest friends – Ryan, Jordy and Matt – along with their families, for comfort and healing during this time of hurt.

– The Wong Family

WHL Commssioner Ron Robison has stated, “The entire WHL family is deeply concerned for the well-being of the three players involved in the accident that occurred on Friday evening. The WHL has been in contact with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and will continue to support the Club and the families concerned during the recovery process.”