As many gather to reflect on their lives and celebrate gratitude during the holiday season, one Austin senior is feeling the joy more than most. Wyatt Hamlin knows what it’s like to miss out on something he loves, but he’s discovered a newfound appreciation for the little things in life. It was July 30 of 2024 when a vehicle Hamlin was driving was struck by a drunken driver. The crash left Hamlin with significant head and neck injuries and it saw him spend three months in the hospital.  While he was gone, the Austin hockey program held a charity alumni game in his name and community members and businesses alike chipped in donations to help cover his medical costs. Hamlin wasn’t conscious or aware for many of the efforts, but he certainly appreciates everything now. “I look at life differently now and I don’t take anything for granted. It happened so quickly,” Hamlin said. “I was just driving to my friend’s house, it happened, and then I was in the hospital for three months. I appreciate the little things now, like just being able to see my friends.” Since the crash, Hamlin has had to relearn how to talk and walk, and he’s still fine tuning his speaking skills. His brain injury will likely be a factor for the rest of his life. Hamlin was going to play a big role as a defenseman for the Packers last season, but he missed the entire season. Eventually, he found out he couldn’t play hockey again but instead of sulking, he volunteered to be one of the team’s managers. So there he was on Tuesday, wearing a suit while filling water bottles and offering advice to his teammates, who he grew up on the ice with. “He’s a key part of our team,” Austin senior hockey player Grady Carney said of Wyatt. “What happened last year made us more like a family. It strengthened the bond and we’re all extremely close because of it.” Hamlin is allowed to skate a little bit during practices, but he can’t take any contact due to his injuries from the crash. While he wishes he could play hockey again, he relishes his time he does have with the team. “It’s a lot more energetic and it’s much more of a rush when you’re playing. Whenever I hit someone, there was so much energy and now there’s not as much. It’s still fun to watch it and be around the game,” Hamlin said. “The team motivated me a lot last year. I wanted to work to get back to my home and my bed. The hospital bed was not comfy at all. It was like a brick.”  On Tuesday, Hamlin watched his team beat Windom 10-4. He was ecstatic about the win, but was equally grateful that he was there to witness it. “It’s kind of crazy to me. Seeing them score goals out there, I wish I could be a part of it,” Hamlin said. “But I’m doing what I can do to help them out and be the best they can be. I tell them to work hard and remind them to always take advice from their teammates. Whether it’s how they play or how they act, there is always something they can improve on.” For Austin senior hockey player Ghavin Schaefer, who has been one of Hamlin’s best friends for quite some time, having Hamlin on the bench is a blessing for the entire team. “Wyatt’s an asset to our team and it’s great to have him on the bench with us,” Schaefer said. “He’s always chatting with us.”   The post Bittersweet comeback: Austin hockey player returns to team as a manager after significant setback appeared first on Austin Daily Herald.