This is truly awful news. In a year where it's easy to think, "Can it really get any worse?" 2020 keeps finding a way to do so.
It was my junior year at BU (and my second year of being a season ticket holder for the hockey team). We were so excited to be opening the season and celebrating the banner raising from the prior season's national title. Our seats were in the front row, almost right on top of the face off dot, on the end of the ice where BU shot twice. Of course these were strategically chosen for just that reason. Unfortunately, they also proved to be "perfect" seats to see Travis crashing head first into those boards.
I can still remember watching him from the moment he stepped on the ice until the moment his life changed forever. It's one of those few moments in life we all have that can be recalled in picture perfect clarity, no matter how many years have passed. How his body went immediately limp and we hoped he had just been knocked unconscious. How seemingly indefinitely he laid there on the ice while we experienced silence the likes of which I've never experienced since. Hoping beyond hope that he would move just one limb. Seeing his father being led out on the ice to him and knowing exactly what that meant.
We couldn't wait to see him play as he had been very hyped coming in, repeatedly being referenced as a no doubt future captain of the team. While I'm sure he was overhyped as a player (how could he not be when the main source of information was the student newspaper?) he couldn't have been more underhyped as a person.
While I never knew him, I was lucky enough to meet him a few times throughout my years at and around BU. Whether it was after a speaking engagement where I was able to chat with him briefly because I worked at BU after graduating, or in the Dugout where he had been brought in by the then current members of the team to celebrate winning another Beanpot, I was always more in awe of him than anyone else I've ever met. This includes future presidents of this country and multiple hall of famers across multiple sports.
To this day I am in awe of him and all he did with his life. I wish I could be half the person he was. Rest in peace Travis. I know wherever you are now you are continuing to inspire all those around you.
