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By Josh Brown METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Ben Fanelli doesnt remember much. He knows he missed the video meeting before the Kitchener Rangers were set to play the Erie Otters. And he recalls laugh- ing with teammate Michael Catenacci while the two taped their sticks before the game. After that, I just remember waking up in the hospital, said the 18-year-old defenceman. The rest of the night from that Ontario Hockey League game on Oct. 30, 2009, has been wiped from his memory. Fans havent forgotten. About 6,000 watched Eries Mike Liambas drive Fanelli into the end boards midway through the match. The hit sent Fanellis helmet fly- ing and he cracked his head on a glass support at the Zamboni entrance before crashing to the ice unconscious in a pool of blood. He spent a week in hospital with severe brain trauma, a fractured skull and a cut above his right eye. He almost died on the ice. Now, nearly two years later, Fanelli wants to put the incident behind him. The Oakville native declared he was in perfect health last week at a news conference to announce his official return to hockey. Flanked by Rangers staff, the affable teenager announced his intentions, after much scrutiny by doctors, family and the hockey team, to launch his comeback with the club. Im feeling great and confident about my health, said Fanelli, who passed a series of medical tests during his layoff. I really never thought it would happen, but I just kept grinding away and now Im here. The journey has been a struggle at times. The hit made national head- lines and thousands watched clips of it online. Fanelli did, too, but has stopped now. It doesnt bring back any fear, but Im not going to watch it over and over again. He doesnt like to talk about Liambas, either. The former Erie enforcer was suspended for the rest of his OHL career after the game but continues to play minor pro hockey. Fanelli says he hasnt heard from the tough guy since the incident. Fanelli rejoined the Rangers about two months after he was released from hospi- tal in an attempt to extend his rookie season, which was cut short after seven games. There were some dark days on the sidelines as he worked to get back in shape, especially on game nights at the Kitchener Auditorium. I would start to feel sick to my stom- ach just thinking about how hard it was for me to be there, he said. There were times when I was pretty close to breaking down. To help, he made peace with the spot where the hit occurred. I skated out there with (teammate) Gabriel Landeskog and we both ran and jumped into the boards, he said. Now, when I go back there, its just a regular hockey rink. Fanelli wasnt the only one who had trouble moving on. Kitchener head coach Steve Spott admitted the silent car ride to the hospital that night was the worst night of my professional career. Fanelli's mom, Sue, fainted in the stands when her son fell to the ice. She has never liked violence in hockey and still has reservations about watching her son play in a game. Im struggling with that a bit, she said at last week's conference. It was the most terrifying thing Ive ever gone through. I want to be there to support him, but Im not sure yet how Im going to do it. When Fanelli was admit- ted to the hospital, doctors thought hed have to take significant time off sports. About six months later, he was on the road to recov- ery. No doctor really has an explanation, said Fanelli. It was pretty miraculous. Fanelli has never felt any post-concussion-like symptoms and did not have to sign a waiver or get addi- tional insurance to return to the Rangers. He now wears a steel sil- ver cage on his helmet, but admits that he will likely revert to a half-visor during the season, if he makes the team. And thats the next hurdle. The blue liner is in amazing shape. Earlier this summer, he completed a tri- athlon and also cycled 115 kilometres alongside idol Lance Armstrong during a recent visit to Waterloo Region. I like the way hes playing right now, said Spott. He hasnt lost a stride. But hell have to earn a spot on the Rangers roster. Fanelli is prepared for bad news. Ive learned pretty well in the last few years that things dont always work out, he said. You just have to deal with what life throws at you. Fanelli has aspirations of playing in the NHL. He also wants to continue working with Head Strong, his foundation that raises awareness of brain inju- ries. But right now, hes focused on his comeback. It has been two years in the making. Through it all, hes had one thing on his mind. Playing for the Rangers on opening night, he said with a smile. Ive defi- nitely thought about that. Sports 26 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 ALMOST BACK: Oakville defence- man Ben Fanelli (left) shares a laugh with Calvin Higley (right) dur- ing Kitchener Rangers tryouts last week. Fanelli is hoping to make this year's team after missing near- ly two full OHL seasons due to a serious head injury suffered during a 2009 contest. MATTHEW MCCARTHY / METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP ll f l h f b kFane i entering ina c apter o OHL come ac try I've learned pretty well in the last few years that things don't always work out. You just have to deal with what life throws at you. Oakville resident Ben Fanelli, on attempting a comeback to the Ontario Hockey League Ben Fanelli