After stepping on the ice with their team for a hockey practice last week, a pair of Vernon boys were recognized for their life-saving actions in the face of a medical emergency.

Vernon Dynamite U13 players Carson Steinbart and Benji Cooke were given the Good Samaritan award by BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) at Priest Valley Arena Thursday, Feb. 22.

They received the award for helping out a man who was having a medical emergency in October 2022. The boys were selling chocolate bars door to door as a fundraiser for their hockey team when at one of the homes they visited, the homeowner collapsed in the doorway.

The quick-thinking hockey players didn鈥檛 have a cell phone between them 鈥� they were 11 years old at the time 鈥� but they rushed to a neighbour who was doing yard work, got them to call 911, and stayed with the ailing homeowner until paramedics arrived.

鈥淭he bravery and the maturity that they showed the morning of this incident to essentially seek medical help in a quick and calm fashion was amazing,鈥� said the BC EHS paramedic who responded to the incident that day, and who came to the arena to present the award on Thursday.

A number of parents at the practice cheered as Steinbart and Cooke received their awards, while their teammates tapped their sticks in appreciation.

Steinbart and Cooke were commended for keeping their composure in a scary situation.

鈥淲e were pretty proud that (they) actually stayed calm and thought to go and find help,鈥� said Brad Steinbart, Carson鈥檚 dad.

He added the Good Samaritan award 鈥渕akes the boys feel really special, and I think it shows the community that helping people is a really good thing.鈥�

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