College hockey

More than simply a motto, four words have becoming the driving force for Fitchburg’s Thibeault family.

Since Jake Thibeault suffered a catastrophic spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down while playing in a hockey showcase for Milton Academy over Labor Day weekend in 2021, the goal for the 19-year-old has remained the same: to one day walk again. And while there have been many long and difficult days in his journey, Thibeault uses those four words to remain focused and determined.

“No quit. Chip away.”

The Babson College freshman continues to put in the work, balancing a full-time college workload with physical therapy and living on his own. There aren’t many easy days, but Thibeault is used to pushing himself and will continue to do so until he reaches his goal.

“My legs are progressing. I can get controlled contractions of the muscles some days and I’m standing with hip assists,” he said Thursday. “Some days are better than others and there are days when things don’t go the way I’d hoped, but I’m going to keep pushing.”

A hockey player as far back as he can remember and a former employee of Hollis Hills Farm in Fitchburg, Thibeault is used to hard work. And it’s something he’s taken on with as positive an attitude imaginable, given the circumstances.

“For me, it used to be farm, gym, hockey. I’ve always been willing to do the work I needed to do,” Thibeault said. “The tough part for me now is being patient and trusting that the work will pay off. If you put in the work in hockey, you know you’ll get better. You see the results pretty quickly.

“Trying to get better here, I’ve never worked harder. You don’t always see the results, but it’s just trying to get 1% or 2% better every day.”

Last year, the Fitchburg native was assisted in his ongoing battle by “Hockey Day in the ‘Burg,” a tripleheader of action on the Wallace Civic Center ice with all proceeds benefitting the Thibeault Family Rehabilitation Trust. The event raised over $29,000 for the trust, with a trio of teams with connections to the beneficiary — Milton Academy, Fitchburg/Monty Tech and Fitchburg State — playing in his honor.

“I’m very appreciative. Having lived this way for a while now and with the goal to eventually walk, it’s proven to be a very expensive and costly injury,” Thibeault said. “There’s a ton of physical therapy and I’m working so hard to reach that goal. (This event) helps my family not have the financial restrictions that it might face in trying to get me there.

“Just as important, I think, is that last year it really brought a community together. You see people that you’ve known for a long time and former teammates and people you don’t even know showing support. It was an amazing experience last year.”

Organizers are hoping for a similar experience this year, hosting a trio of games Jan. 28. Fitchburg State kicks off the “Jake Thibeault Games” with a MASCAC tilt against Plymouth State at 3 p.m., followed by Milton Academy taking on St. George’s School at 5:30. Fitchburg/Monty Tech caps the day’s action with a contest against crosstown rival St. Bernard’s at 7:30.

Tickets for the second annual “Hockey Day in the ‘Burg” are $10 in advance or at the door.

The ever-grateful Thibeault remains just as appreciative that people have kept him in their thoughts as he did when the injury first occurred.

“It’s just unbelievable the support I’ve received,” he said. “(Littleton hockey coach) Kevin Lizotte and (Fitchburg State head coach) Dean Fuller have been in touch with me and supportive since day one and it really means a lot. Everyone who’s ever reached out, even in the smallest way, it means something to me.”