HeadSet Sports - Episode 16 - Interview with Cole Bardreau- New York Islanders - "For the Love of The Game ..."

To understand heart, resilience, and true perseverance is know Cole Bardreau. This member 5'11" center for the New York Islanders has a story much like that movies are made of. As a standout hockey player, Cole was a member of the US National Development program for several years. A true elite, within the US.  His talents and efforts would provide him a scholarship to Cornell.  As if things couldn't get any better ... during his second season with "The Big Red" he was selected as a member of the prestigious US World Junior Team that would win Gold in Russia. Upon returning from this incredible experience, Cole's stock in the world hockey market was beginning to sore upward. It was then that everything almost came to a crumbling end. Within two weeks of his return to Cornell, during a game vs RIP ... Cole would suffer a cervical spine injury. Cole's story of MAJOR injury after MAJOR injury, and setback after setback ... are what many would refer to as a "Sign". A "Sign" to pursue other interests in life, safer ones, start the evolution of his life as a person who is "more" than the sport he plays. But instead, these setbacks provided Cole with a different message.  The journey through Cole's career is one of overcoming immense adversity. Each of the numerous injuries he has faced were honorable means for contemplating retirement.  So much so, that these signs would cause him to reflect upon his faith, his decision making and future options in life. But, it was during the darkest moments of this contemplation - that he learned to simply pursue his dream in it's purest essence ... "For the Love of The Game" ... It was then that his dream came true! Follow Cole on Instagram @ColeBardreau