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Motorcycle accident hasn't stopped Regina hockey player from playing game
November 5, 2010
The Regina Leader-Post
Article By Doyle Fox, for the Leader-Post
Photo by Don Healy, Leader-Post
REGINA — Marquis Majore was welcomed home to Regina this past May as a hockey hero, and now he is enjoying playing in the Adult Safe Hockey League with friends.
However, things weren't always this good.
In September of 2004, Majore lost control of his motorcycle and was involved in what he terms a "rank" accident. Majore suffered serious trauma to his left arm and doctors were forced to amputate.
"It changed my life," said Majore, 25. "I couldn't believe it. At first I was rejecting it. I thought it was a dream."
Majore said it took a long time for him to accept what had happened and he thought that he would never be able to play hockey again.
He grew up playing tier 1 hockey in Regina and was furthering his career with the junior B Moose Mountain Rangers. However, the accident put an immediate stop to that — something that he called devastating.
"I didn't like it,'' Majore said. "I didn't want to accept it and I thought it would have never happened.''
It took four years before Majore finally got back on the ice. He said he skated a couple times a year, but never thought he would be able to play the game again.
That was until he read online about the world amputee hockey championship and he was able to rekindle the passion for a game he grew up loving.
After doing some research and making some contacts with the team, Majore was able to get a tryout. After surviving the final rounds of tryouts last December, he found himself donning a Team Canada sweater at the world championships in Finland.
 "I was a rookie, so I didn't get much ice time,'' Majore said about the world championships. "It was different seeing all those people who are the same as me and seeing how they adjust on the ice. It was definitely an eye opener watching everybody at the tournament."
Majore said he played both defence and forward at the tournament and was able to help Team Canada bring home a gold medal.
With the memory of the gold medal fresh in mind, Majore has already begun his training for the 2012 world championships. To help stay in shape and develop his skills, he is playing with friends on the DR Roofing Devils of the Adult Safe Hockey League.
"It's different playing against able-bodied players," he said. "It's definitely hard, but I am getting used to it."
Majore doesn't use a prosthetic arm while playing. He has a specially designed stick that he is still trying to adjust to, but he says his stickhandling and shot have improved since he started using it. He said he uses his speed to open up ice, which has helped him with his game. He is currently rolling at a point per game clip with his Adult Safe team.
Majore's story of getting back into hockey is truly one of a kind and the proof lies in the roster of Team Canada. Majore was the only player from Saskatchewan selected to the roster. However, he believes that he was the only player from Saskatchewan because a lack of awareness.
"There are a lot of people out here in Regina and Saskatoon that are in the same situation as me and if they haven't heard of us, they should go on the (Canadian Amputee Hockey) website and check it out,'' he said.
Majore is in his second year at the University of Regina, where he is studying Social Work.
After several years without being near a rink, Majore has a hard time staying away. He works as a timekeeper at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre when he isn't busy with school or playing hockey.
"After six years,'' he reflected, "everything has worked itself out and a lot of doors have been opened.''
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