Facing off against MS: Pair of AUS hockey players launch fundraiser, awareness campaign

By Corey LeBlanc

The seeds for a lasting friendship between a pair of Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's hockey players were planted on the prairies of rural Canada; one that endured, even as they went their separate ways to continue the pursuit of their athletic dreams.

After a couple years of mainly exchanging texts and phone calls, Jack Flaman and Carson MacKinnon now have the opportunity to see each other when they face-off in the most competitive conference in the country.

Not surprisingly, hockey is at the root of the relationship for Flaman, a senior forward and captain of the Acadia Axemen, and MacKinnon, who is in his sophomore campaign with the rival UPEI Panthers. But, there is another tie that binds the duo – one that transcends a shared passion for their beloved sport.

Both student-athletes have siblings who are living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

"It came out of nowhere," MacKinnon, a native of Summerside, PEI, says of his older sister Emily's diagnosis in 2018, noting that their family had no history of the debilitating disease of the central nervous system – brain and spinal cord.

He admits he "knew the bare minimum" about the incurable disease that would forever change their lives.

Emily – who lived in Edmonton – was spending her summer five years ago visiting family and friends when she began to experience pain; starting in her feet and legs, it soon affected her whole body.

After undergoing a battery of tests, doctors delivered what MacKinnon calls the "shocking" diagnosis.

"It was so scary," he remembers.

MacKinnon credits his sister for being "rock solid" in her approach; even with the "ups and downs" that are guaranteed when dealing with such an unpredictable disease, she has persevered. Medication, lifestyle changes and other treatments have been effective.

"She is amazing," he says of Emily – now 29 – who is the mother of an eight-month-old daughter, McKenna.

Flaman – a native of Vibank, Saskatchewan, shares a similar story about his older brother, Michael, who has been living with MS for more than two years.

"It was a shock – that's for sure," he recalls of the diagnosis.

He remembers how Michael "wasn't himself," battling crippling fatigue, while also steadily losing vision in one of his eyes.

"It took a long time," Flaman notes of determining he had MS.

With medication – along with embracing the importance and benefits of physical activity – he says Michael is "doing really well."

Like Emily – also 29 – he and his wife, Holly, are proud dog owners.

"It hits home for both of us," MacKinnon says of the disease.

With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Canada has one of the highest rates in the world, with an estimated 90,000 people having the disease. On average, 12 Canadians receive an MS diagnosis daily, with most between the ages of 20 and 49.

"We just clicked – we became pretty tight," MacKinnon remembers of aforementioned friendship.

They met while attending Athol Murray College of Notre Dame – a private school in Wilcox, Saskatchewan – where they skated for the Hounds' hockey program.

Flaman – then a Grade 11 student – was the house leader for the dormitory that MacKinnon moved into when he arrived as a ninth grader.

"We liked each other from the beginning," Flaman says.

He adds, "I like to think that I was someone that I could look up to."

"It is something close to my heart," Flaman notes of their friendship.

MacKinnon agrees.

"Jack means the world to me."

After some time apart – although the friendship continued – they had the opportunity to return to in-person meetings when MacKinnon joined Flaman in the AUS. Albeit brief and infrequent, their pre and post-game conversations became special moments during the grind of a competitive regular season.

The friends take advantage of the chance to catch up. One of the common topics, of course, is the health and well-being of their siblings.

"Carson came up with a great idea," Flaman remembers, as the pair shared to do something to help raise funds and awareness for MS during one of those chats.

After some follow-up brainstorming, they came up with the idea for a two-night event built around regular season clashes between the Panthers and Axemen.

The first leg of the initiative took place on Jan. 14, when Acadia hosted UPEI at the Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville

"It was pretty special," Flaman says of the ceremonial face-off prior to the game, one that he took with MacKinnon, while Alex Adams – who has MS – dropped the puck.

Volunteers, including partners of his Acadia teammates, collected donations at entrances and in the stands. Fans could also purchase pucks for a 'chuck-a-puck' contest that took place during one intermission.

"We did really well," Flaman says, despite having a smaller than usual home crowd due to nasty weather.

Along with fundraising, the event focused on sharing MS-related information with fans, including announcements during stoppages in play and between periods.

"It was a great success – the whole idea, as much as anything, was to educate people," Flaman notes, describing his Acadia coaches and teammates as a "second family," while crediting them for their contributions.

MacKinnon credits his friend and the Axemen for their effort.

"It was an amazing night," he says.

MacKinnon and his Panthers will host their half of the MS event on Saturday, Jan. 28, when the teams hit the ice at MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown.

"Everyone has been so supportive," he says of the Panthers – like Flaman of his Axemen, calling them a "second family" – as preparations continue.

Flaman says of the upcoming event at UPEI, "I am really excited about what they will come up with."

Both AUS student-athletes reiterate the importance of not only raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada, but also raising awareness of the disease – one that thousands of families across the country are living with every day.

And, although their siblings are keeping the potentially debilitating disease at bay, they realize that how quickly things can change, considering how suddenly that symptoms can develop and worsen. With those possibilities always lurking, the need to deliver the MS message becomes more magnified, with the goal of reaching a time when improved treatments and a cure are found.

MacKinnon says of the uncertainty of living with MS, "You never know what tomorrow might bring."

For more information about the fundraising and awareness campaign launched by Flaman and MacKinnon, including to make a donation, go to https://msspwcms.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=9303