Canadians are coming together to raise funds for the victims of the Humboldt bus crash and Airdrie residents have launched a campaign to help a player from the community as he recovers in hospital in Saskatchewan.

Ryan Straschnitzki, 18, was injured in the crash that killed 15 people on a highway near Tisdale on Friday and his mother says he likely won't be able to walk on his own again.

He suffered a broken back and had surgery to place two metal rods near his spine.

“He’s the one teaching us how to hold it together. He’s been unreal and I know he is broken-hearted about his team mates,” said his mother, Michelle. “Him sitting up with a lot of assistance was excruciating to watch because he was in extraordinary pain but he is a strong kid and he is smart and he wants this.”

Several high-profile guests have visited Ryan in hospital to wish him well including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ron MacLean and Don Cherry.

Back in Airdrie, the young player has the support of many friends and his strength coach, Cody Thompson, is leading a charge to raise funds for his recovery.

Thompson was so impressed with his student that he hired Ryan to coach others at the White Collar Boxing gym after hockey was finished for the season.

“Ryan is the strong silent type, shows up every day, works hard every day, doesn’t say a whole lot and then just outperforms everybody,” said Thompson.

Ryan’s job at the gym is on hold but his friends have no doubt that he will succeed and be involved in hockey in some way in the future.

To help him get there, his friends are raising funds by selling hats with the number 10 on the front and #strazstong emblazoned on the back.

“The strazstrong initiative is really about making sure that we can raise enough money for Ryan so that regardless of what happen, going forward, that the decisions that he can make are based on what’s right for Ryan and his family and not based on what they can afford,” said Thompson. “He said to me, I’m not going to quit, I’m not going to stop, I’m going to be like water.”

A vigil will also be held to honour Ryan and his team on April 13th at the outdoor rink at the Chinook Winds Park in Airdrie beginning at 8:30 p.m.

For more information on the #strazstrong initiative or to order a hat, click HERE.

(With files from Brad MacLeod)