News

Jackson Boline is a junior at Alexandria Area High School and a goaltender for the varsity team. He began skating when he was five years old and has continued from Mites to high school. On Nov. 1, 2016, Jackson and his family’s life changed dramatically.

Jackson’s father, Patrick, who has played or coached for over 40 years, suffered a dissection of his aorta on Nov. 1, and was helicoptered to the University of Minnesota for emergency surgery. The surgery lasted 7-8 hours and was successful in saving Patrick’s life. 

This was Jackson’s favorite time of year with captain’s practice beginning and there were high expectations for the upcoming season. Jackson, on the other hand, was worried whether his father was going to survive post-surgery and the ongoing concern that his father would have significant or severe disability. The thought of the upcoming season quickly became secondary.

Fortunately, Patrick recovered fully from surgery, which was considered a miracle by the surgical staff and any other physician who the family has consulted. During the follow-up testing, Patrick was found to have two more aneurysms in his iliac arteries which run down each leg. These findings led to the belief that there must be a genetic component involved with Patrick’s aneurysms.

With all of this going on in Jackson’s life, he began the hockey season. Every season has its ups and downs, and this season was no different, but Jackson’s save percentage was .915 with a 2.10 goals-against average and four shutouts. Impressive statistics for a young man who had a lot on his mind.

Jackson’s parents, having known that Jackson has a bicuspid aortic valve instead of what would be a normal tricuspid valve, the biscuspid valve has to work harder than the normal tricuspid valve, which can lead to leaking, which can then lead to a reduction in proper blood flow from his heart to the rest of his body. There is also a relationship between a bicuspid valve and a dilation of the root, or the beginning of the aorta from the heart. This was the part of the aorta that became an aneurysm and ruptured in Jackson’s father.

Jackson went in for testing on Feb. 3, 2017. The test performed was a echocardiogram. The cardiologist reported the results, which included a dilation of the aortic root amd mild leakage of his bicuspid valve. Jackson and his parents were shocked. They thought they were going to receive a follow-up on his aortic valve, not a aortic dilation. The cardiologist consulted with the senior cardiologist who said that Jackson could play goalie, but football and heavy weightlifting had to stop. There would be another test in six months, and if any more dilation occurred, hockey would be out as well.  

For the Boline family who had already had enough to deal with, now they had to talk to Jackson about the possibility of no hockey – a sport and lifestyle he has been involved in for over 12 years. Obviuosly, for Jackson’s parents and family, life was more important than hockey, but for a 17-year-old who already had a lot to deal with, he was reaching a breaking point.

The next game was against rival Sartell-St. Stephen. Jackson’s dad could tell he was not his usual confident self and was fighting the puck. The score was 3-0 after the first period and Jackson’s coach pulled him before the second period. This was hard to take for Jackson who had not been pulled from a game all season. 

He texted his mom after the game and told her he was scared. The stress threshold had been reached. Instead of  a confident goalie, he began having doubts and worries that he had never had before. His coach told him he would have the start against East Grand Forks. Jackson again let in three goals and his confidence appeared worse. He was devastated.

Playing goalie is hard enough, but to have your mind not clear or focused can be very difficult for the most  seasoned professional to handle, much less a 17-year-old. Since the first consultation, Jackson has had two other physicians – a cardiologist and a vascular specialist – tell Jackson’s parents that he is OK to play and that it would be worse for him mentally if he did not play. 

Jackson continued to practice  and played in one playoff game, posting a 15-save shutout in a 13-0 win over Wadena-Deer Creek. Jackson is regaining his confidence and never lost his exceptional work ethic. His courage and passion for the game he loves are an inspiration to many. Jackson helps coach younger goalies in the Alexandria youth association and passes the love of the game to younger players and wants them to know he will always be there for them.

The Bolines want parents to know that if there is a history of murmurs or heart disease in your family, get a thorough examination to rule out any problems. Patrick Boline feels his aortic dissection was a blessing in disguise. Without it, Jackson would not have gone in and Jill Boline would not have had her bicuspid valve evaluated and found that she also has a dilatation of her aortic root.

In addition, the Bolines want coaches and teachers to be aware of changes in a young person, whether it be on the rink or in the classroom. Ask and talk to parents. You never know what a young person might be going through.

Jackson will be going through more testing this spring and summer. The Bolines hope for and pray for the best, but whatever the results, Jackson will continue to use what he has learned to live a full and happy life.