Aaron Volpatti - Fighter: Defying The NHL Odds

Aaron was a true competitor, a fierce player on the ice, and a great teammate off the ice. If you want to learn about the power of the human mind, you need to read this book!

Daniel Sedin

Aarons life experiences exemplify the delicate psychological balance associated with adversity and resilience. His story of triumph, powered by his visualization practice, offers great insight into how we can all move our personal fulcrums to find pathways towards growth and resilience in the wake of adversity and trauma.

Dr. Jacinta M. Jimnez PsyD, BCC, Psychologist specializing in motivation and peak performance, Author of The Burnout Fix

After playing against Aaron in the NHL, I had an inclination that he had an amazing story to tell. I was right. His story will serve as an inspiration to so many people as it is a true depiction of mind over matter.

Jordin Tootoo NHL Alumnus and Author of:

All the Way: My Life on Ice

Mind Over Matter: Hard-Won Battles on the Road to Hope

As a rookie coming into the NHL, I didnt have to look far to see the perfect example of extreme work ethic, perseverance and leadership. These attributes that Patti possessed came as no surprise after I learned about his story. I was lucky to be able to battle next to him as his linemate. He was fearless, always had my back, and was the ultimate professional day in and day out.

Tom Wilson Washington Capitals

Aarons book will leave a lasting impact on your soul. Hes candid about his struggles and brings you into his journey, which leaves you rooting for him the entire way. Hockey is simply a conduit, but this story is about human perseverance under great odds. A marvelous read.

Sami Jo Small 3x Olympian (2 Golds, 1 Silver)

Aarons inspiring story epitomizes the use of visualization to overcome the unthinkable.

Emerance Maschmeyer 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist

Published by Defiant Publishing House, October 2022

ISBN: 9781738700608

ISBN: 9781738700615 (e-book)

Copyright 2022 by Aaron Volpatti

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Written and Edited by: Aaron Volpatti

Proofreader: Dana Micheli

Typeset: Greg Salisbury

Book Cover Design: Michel Vrana

Portrait Photographer: Heather Pollock

DISCLAIMER: Readers of this publication agree that neither Aaron Volpatti, nor his publisher will be held responsible or liable for damages that may be alleged as resulting directly or indirectly from the use of this publication. Neither the publisher nor the author can be held accountable for the information provided by, or actions, resulting from, accessing these resources.

NOTE TO THE READER: This book explores themes around general trauma, mental health, and life as a hockey player. There are raw and graphic descriptions of injuries (specifically burn injuries), disease, pregnancies, and miscarriages.

To Dad:
Heres to livin

Contents

Authors Note

I had no business making the NHL. While I was an above-average hockey player, I was the smallest kid in Revelstoke and had barely snuck into Junior hockey. But I had something that separated me from all the other kids with big dreams. I was gifted with a powerful sense of courage and a spiritual awakening through my discovery of the powers of Visualization a superpower that got me through the deepest lows in my life and brought me out to the other side as a survivor.

By all rights, I shouldnt even be alive to share my story with you, and sometimes Im not sure how I actually overcame all the adversity I have faced, both personally and professionally.

Yet I did, because I am a fighter. And Im hoping that by reading my story you will get to know the real me, both the hockey player who nearly died, and the Coach that I am now who wants to help you unleash your true potential.

I hope my journey inspires you to do something, start something, create something, or change something. That my words will help you tap into your inner powers of Visualization and be enough to push you to take those first steps toward a new mindset.

By sharing my story of grief, terror, personal tragedy, uncertainty, and happiness, I hope you will be inspired to dig deep within yourself to find your own strength to walk into your darkest moments and come out of them with a determination and mindset to achieve your wildest dreams. Think of this book as a guide to find the fighter inside of you. A guide that will push you to fight for what you want and what you love in this life.

Believe me, if I can play in the NHL, you can achieve anything you want.

And I want to be right here cheering you on.

Part 1

You never really get the smell of burning flesh out of your nose entirely, no matter how long you live.
J.D Salinger

Chapter 1

Inferno

A loud rushing noise filled my ears. My whole body was engulfed in an intense, warming sensation. Oddly, it wasnt painful, but it felt completely wrong, and my body reacted by telling me to run. As I bolted into the woods in a panic, I thought, Holy shit, why isnt this hurting? But I had no answer. I had no control over what was going on. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins, and I raced blindly for what seemed like an eternity. My body then screamed at me to drop to the ground and roll around to get the flames out. I frantically slapped the palms of my hands against my body, willing it to disappear. But the flames didnt subside. I vaguely heard people calling my name, telling me to stop moving, but I ignored them. Panic pushed me up off the ground and I continued to run, and in hindsight, I still dont know why that action seemed sane. The thought of dying flooded my mind. But still, no pain.

I thought I heard screaming and didnt realize until later that the guttural howling had been coming from my lungs. Finally, I felt a sudden push from behind me and I was thrown to the ground. My body landed sharply in the dirt, with the sensation of rocks pushing into my raw skin as my friends tackled me and started beating me with their jackets. Finally, someone smothered the gas induced flames. My skin was still smoldering as they peeled off what little remained of my clothing.

My breathing slowed and when I looked up, all I could see was a crowd of horrified faces. Some of my friends had their hands covering their mouths and noses, some turned away in shock, and some were crying and shaking. I couldnt make sense of what had happened but as I followed their gaze down to my naked body, I saw piles of gnarled, white skin lumped around certain areas as if a giant candle had been melted and deliberately poured all over me.