Les Borsheim, a defender and forward for the Colorado Eagles hockey team, was in critical condition this morning at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after a motorcycle crash in rural Weld County on Sunday afternoon.
“He is in the intensive-care unit in critical condition,” said Gene Haffner, director of public relations for the hospital.
Chris Stewart, head coach of Eagles, said Borsheim’s family is driving from Saskatchewan, Canada, to Greeley. He said the team offered to fly them to Greeley, but they said they would rather drive.
“They have a 16-hour drive. They are driving here with a heavy weight on their shoulders,” said Stewart.
“We are thinking about him. Our prayers and thoughts are with him,” Stewart added.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, Borsheim, who lives in Windsor, was on a red 1987 Harley Davidson motorcycle that failed to make a right-hand curve at Weld County roads 60.5 and 55.
The motorcycle went off the left side of Weld County Road 60.5, and Borsheim was thrown from the cycle. The motorcycle continued on its own before crashing.
The patrol said Borsheim was not wearing a helmet but did have proper eye protection.
Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor, said the State Patrol.
The State Patrol said Borsheim was cited for driving a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, a misdemeanor; misdemeanor careless driving; and violating restrictions on a driver’s license, a Class A traffic infraction.
However, the team said that although police cite alcohol as a factor in the accident, the Eagles organization cannot confirm those details and will wait “for the case to play itself out.”
Stewart, who is at the hospital, said the 29-year-old Borsheim had an outstanding year in his sixth year as a professional.
“In my estimation, it was the best season he’s had,” said Stewart.
He also was a player who aroused enthusiasm among Colorado Eagle fans, Stewart added.
“His items were the most requested. He truly was a fan favorite,” said the coach.
According to Stewart and J.P. Puma, communications director for the team, Borsheim had been active with other team members in the tornado cleanup in Windsor, where the Colorado Eagles headquarters is located.
The tornado missed their building by a quarter mile.
On the team’s website, Borsheim can be seen in the cleanup efforts.
At mid-morning, the team released a statement saying that Borsheim underwent successful surgery performed by neurosurgeon John Viola.
It quoted Stewart and teammate Ed McGrane as saying that Borsheim was looking and acting like himself before surgery, even joking with one of the nurses.
This morning, Borsheim was breathing on his own and wearing a neck collar to aid in stabilization.
“These next few days will be a big challenge when it comes to Les’ recovery, but I know he is up to the challenge,” said Stewart.
McGrane, one of his close friends on the team, was at his side today.
“He’s like family for everybody, and everyone’s going to be there for him,” McGrane said of teammates gathering at the hospital. “I saw him yesterday morning, and he was excited to ride. It’s one of his favorite things to do, and it’s just bad luck that he lost control.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
