(Facebook)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

fighting for one of their own

AJHL’s Thunder hoping community will help coach battling cancer

Dec 22, 2019 | 11:13 AM

The Drayton Valley Thunder junior ‘A’ hockey squad are helping one of their own in a major battle off the ice.

At the beginning of December, Associate Coach Bill Rotheisler was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, and the disease is said to be very aggressive.

Rotheisler was admitted to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton for testing last week. He’s since started a steroid regimen to shrink the tumour, and will begin chemotherapy as soon as possible.

As of Sunday morning, a Facebook fundraiser has collected over $6000 in two days, with a goal of raising $40,000.

“Bill is still a part of our coaching staff with the Drayton Valley Thunder. The Thunder family misses him dearly and can’t wait for his return behind the bench,” a post on Facebook says. “The Waroneks are honouring his contract with the team while he is in treatment and looking forward to his speedy recovery so that he can join the team once again.”

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Rotheisler, 37, will be hospitalized for at least a month, thus money raised will help with living expenses during treatment and recovery. He joined the Thunder this season after stints coaching in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, and B.C.’s Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, among others.

Updates on his health status and recovery can also be found on Facebook.