Photo Courtesy: Prince George Spruce Kings/Twitter

By Ethan Ready

Multiple Sclerosis

Braiden Epp aims to inspire as he looks to face-off against Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis

May 28, 2021 | 7:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Braiden Epp is a product of Prince George. He grew up playing hockey here, working through the midget ranks to then eventually suiting up for his hometown Spruce Kings; a few years playing senior hockey in Northern BC and then putting on the black and white stripes as he later became a hockey referee.

But at 24-years of age, Epp is now facing off against a new opponent.

On May 25, 2021, Epp was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

“I started off with just some back pain where I thought maybe I slept funny or something,” explained Epp.

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He went to the arena, stepped onto the ice and admitted he felt as if he had his skates on the wrong feet. His feet and legs weren’t functioning the way they normally would. Over 20 years around the game, Epp certainly knows a thing or two about skating but he looked as if he never stepped onto a sheet of ice before. Epp took the next several days to rest before his next officiating assignment.

“When I went out to ref this last game I took a step on the ice and just faceplanted. I was scrambling to get back to my feet and I just couldn’t get my feet underneath me.”

Not sure if his symptoms were important enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, Epp continued on, beginning work as a labourer with the City of Nanaimo where he’s currently attending school.

“(Last) Friday was the last straw for me where I was driving the work truck and my legs and arms all fell asleep. And I went to the hospital went straight through to the ER got rushed straight to the top hearing my story so when you hear 24-year-old guy coming to the hospital like that you kinda panics to say. Within a week and a half I was through two MRI’s and then yesterday I got the diagnosis from the MS clinic and the neurologist so that was a whirlwind for me.”

Epp says if it weren’t for the support he’s received just in the last few days, his outlook would be much different.

“Braiden is a tough tough kid and you know he’s a warrior,” said Mike Hawes, General Manager of the Prince George Spruce Kings. “He was for us when he played his three seasons with the Spruce Kings and I know he’s gonna fight this extremely hard.”

“He’s got a passion for the game of hockey and now he’s got a fight in his life that he’s gonna attack that and he’s gonna do the best,” said Trevor Sprague, General Manager of the Cariboo Cougars, where Epp spent four years playing through the program before joining the Spruce Kings. “He’s always been an upbeat person, and as a young man, when I coached him. People like being around him and that’s not gonna change. MS has got a guy here that’s gonna be an advocate for everybody with a smile on the face and he’s not gonna let anybody hold him back.”

And nothing, not even MS, is going to hold the 24-year-old back.

“When I was told MS I was ready for it and I’m ready to fight,” says Epp.

Just being diagnosed a few short days ago, Epp has already looked to the future. It just so happens the national MS Walk is scheduled for May 30th.

“It’s such a quick turnaround for me. To get diagnosed and then now wanting to make a change, and help people, and raise money for this because there is no cure for it right now,” said Epp. “I just want to stay as positive as I can and keep working every day to show people there is a road you can take to get to that better life. That’s my plan. To help show people and be there for people who wanna talk about their stories or all that and we can work together.”

In just a few short days, “Team Epp” has already raised well over $11,000, smashing his fundraising goal ahead of Sunday’s MS Walk. Now, he’s hoping his story has inspired enough people to reach his newly set goal of $26,000.

To donate, click here.