Star hockey player honoured for lifesaving move

The Canadian, who will be returning to Yorkshire later this year for his fourth season with the Stingrays, was playing in a knockabout game in his native Ontario, when the player Brett MacLean suffered a cardiac emergency.

Silverthorn, along with an off duty firefighter and a teacher rushed to help MacLean, a player with the Canadian National Hockey League, who was reportedly suffering convulsions.

Grey County Director of Emergency Medical Services Mike Muir said the three used resuscitation techniques and a defibrillator on MacLean, who received further help from paramedics before coming round. Within eight minutes he was said to have regained and a pulse and was breathing on his own.

Mr Muir said he believed the defribillator had been crucial in saving the player’s life.

The 32-year-old Ontario native will return to Yorkshire at the end of August on the back of a career-best season having posted 77 points - 32 goals and 45 assists - in 62 matches.

He finished Stingrays’ leading scorer, was ninth overall in the league standings and was named the Players’ Player of the Year, Coach’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Owner of Hull Stingrays Bobby McEwan said yesterday: “All I’ve heard was that the guy was in the NHL (league) and Jason saved his life. They are starting to probably prepare for the season and they will have been having a bounce game.”

He is quite relaxed and chilled out. O don’t think it would phase him - he would just take it in his stride.”

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier said recently: “I am really pleased Silver is back with us for another season.

“You know what you are getting with Silver. He is so consistent and a great two-way player. He comes to work every night and never lets you down.”