WILLMAR — The decisive actions of Heather Coleman averted a potential tragedy and granted Tim Rehn a second chance at life.
During a game at the Willmar Civic Center Arena on Dec. 10, Rehn, participating in a match, suddenly collapsed on the ice.
The 54-year-old collapsed while heading for a line change during his second shift in the game’s first period.
“I felt my strength ebbing away, and then everything went dark,” Rehn recalled.
Coleman, a former Emergency Medical Technician (1998-2016), sprang into action to assess the situation. Her husband, Jay, serves as the goalie on Rehn’s adult hockey team, Rising Son.
Within 19 seconds, Coleman reached Rehn, finding him unresponsive and disoriented, exhibiting signs of distress with gasping breaths, foaming at the mouth, and eyes rolled back with a bluish hue.
Without hesitation, the retired EMT immediately initiated medical assistance for Rehn.
Coleman began with a sternum rub, but despite her efforts, there was no response from Rehn.
“I hadn’t requested an AED initially because he was still showing signs of breathing, but suddenly he stopped breathing and went limp,” Coleman recounted. “He had no pulse.”
Rehn had entered cardiac arrest.
In a swift sequence of events, Coleman’s 18-year-old daughter, Jaycie, swiftly retrieved emergency medical supplies, including an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Coleman proceeded with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), delivering 30 compressions before the AED indicated “no shock advised.”
After another set of compressions, the AED administered a shock on the second attempt, successfully reviving Rehn.
All of this unfolded within a span of four minutes.
“At one point, I thought we had lost him for good,” Coleman expressed. “I didn’t believe we could bring him back. Not even for a moment. I found myself silently pleading with the AED — ‘Please be ready to shock him. Please, shock him.’ And it did.”
Rehn has no recollection of the moments he was unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, he found one of his hands held by his wife, Pam, and the other clasped by Coleman.
“When Heather revived him, he was completely lucid, albeit in disbelief,” Pam remarked. “He started cracking jokes.”
“I just decided to open my eyes and be better,” Rehn chimed in, sharing a moment of laughter with Heather. “And well, I was.”
Following his revival, Rehn initially struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
“From the moment I regained consciousness, I felt fine. I was utterly bewildered by the turn of events,” Rehn reflected.
Subsequently, Rehn was transported to CentraCare’s Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar before being transferred to another CentraCare facility in St. Cloud for further medical attention and evaluation.
‘Heather and hockey saved my life’
Coleman’s presence at Jay and Rehn’s hockey game that Sunday evening was a rare occurrence.
Typically not attending Jay’s hockey games, Coleman made an exception that day to pick up Jaycie, who is a figure skater. The plan was to watch a portion of Jay’s game before heading to the Twin Cities for an early Monday flight to New York City.
“We were only going to watch Jay for a brief moment, exchange blown kisses, and bid farewell,” Coleman explained. “There was a goal, followed by excitement. Then, during a shift change, Tim skated towards the boards, and everything suddenly unraveled.”
This marked Rehn’s inaugural season in the WCHL. Encouraged by a former colleague, he joined the league, returning to hockey for the first time since his freshman year of high school, unsure if he could even skate.
After attending an open hockey night for league players to “shake off the rust” on Oct. 22, Rehn was initially hesitant, feeling out of place among the younger participants.
“I was convinced I couldn’t keep up with these young players,” Rehn admitted.
However, a chance encounter with WCHL player Jay Halliday persuaded Rehn to complete the season.
“The reason I’m here today is that I was playing hockey that night, and Heather decided to show up before leaving for New York,” Rehn acknowledged. “Numerous factors aligned perfectly for this outcome.”
“Heather and hockey truly saved my life.”
‘A miraculous survival’
Subsequent examinations revealed that Rehn’s left anterior descending artery, known as the widow-maker artery, was completely obstructed, with another artery experiencing a 90% blockage.
“Considering the blockages, Tim defied the odds by surviving,” Coleman remarked. “It’s nothing short of a miracle.”
“It truly is a miracle,” Rehn affirmed. “Heather is the real hero here.”
During his time in St. Cloud, Rehn underwent a procedure to insert four stents in his blocked arteries. Remarkably, he was discharged less than 48 hours after the cardiac arrest, equipped with 12 daily medications.
Under medical supervision, Rehn engaged in cardiac rehabilitation, gradually resuming activities such as running, albeit with occasional reminders to take it easy.
“I feel fantastic. The only discomfort I’ve experienced is from the chest compressions,” Rehn shared.
An upcoming Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan will assess his arteries and any potential damage, with Rehn and Coleman optimistic about minimal repercussions.
“To emerge without any neurological deficits is remarkable and can be solely attributed to Heather’s prompt actions,” Rehn emphasized.
Coleman’s swift response within those critical four minutes proved instrumental in Rehn’s survival.
“When faced with a life-threatening situation, you cannot hesitate because time is of the essence,” Coleman stressed. “Had I not acted decisively, Tim might not be here today. Immediate chest compressions were crucial in sustaining his heartbeat. The key is to keep the blood flowing.”
‘Lingering thoughts’
Given his family history rife with cardiac issues, Rehn admitted he wasn’t entirely surprised by his cardiac arrest.
Mindful of this predisposition, Rehn and his physician diligently monitored his health while maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
Having completed marathons and half marathons, Rehn typically ran four times a week, covering distances ranging from 3 to 8 miles throughout the fall and summer.
Reflecting on the incident, Rehn acknowledged that he had exerted himself more strenuously during past workouts than during the hockey game where the cardiac arrest occurred.
“Pam and I often pondered the what-ifs. What if this had happened during one of my solitary eight-mile runs in the middle of nowhere? I wouldn’t have made it,” Rehn contemplated.
His decision to retire at 54 was influenced by the short lifespans observed in his family. Following a 28-year tenure at Border States Electric in Willmar, Rehn retired last spring.
On the day after his retirement, Pam humorously warned him, “You retire and then have a heart attack. I’ll never forgive you.”
“Several acquaintances of mine retired only to face unforeseen health challenges,” Pam shared. “Given his family history, it’s a lingering concern at the back of our minds.”
Ultimately, Rehn aspires to resume all activities he engaged in before the cardiac arrest.
An unexpected bond
Prior to the cardiac arrest, Coleman and Rehn were strangers to each other.
The following Sunday (Dec. 17), Rehn reunited with Coleman at the Willmar Civic Center, where they discussed the harrowing event in greater detail.
In a heartfelt gesture, Coleman presented Rehn with a Minnesota-shaped sign crafted from Barnwood and hockey sticks, featuring a metal addition symbolizing a heartbeat line and the date of the incident.
Establishing her business, “Barnwood & Bling,” in 2017, Coleman repurposes barn materials to create various projects, operating out of her Pennock garage.
“Not only did she save my life, but she went above and beyond,” Rehn expressed. “I grappled with how to adequately express gratitude to the person who rescued me.”
Aware of the Colemans’ affinity for hockey, Rehn took the initiative to contact Luke Mericle, an Associate Account Executive of Sales and Service for the Minnesota Wild, outlining his desire to treat the Colemans to a Wild game.
Mericle was astounded by Rehn’s email and promptly arranged for the Colemans and Rehn to enjoy a suite together at the Wild game against the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 27.
The Wild surprised Coleman and Rehn with personalized jerseys bearing their last names and the numbers 12 and 10, symbolizing the date of the life-saving event.
“This was our way of expressing gratitude to Heather and her family while fostering a deeper connection,” Rehn shared. “The Wild facilitated this gesture, creating a memorable experience for us.”
‘Embracing a newfound purpose’
Looking ahead, Rehn is committed to promoting CPR education and AED utilization.
He advocates for the installation of AEDs in various community locations to enhance emergency response capabilities.
With AEDs already installed at Cash Wise and soon to be placed at Robbins Island through the efforts of the Willmar Rotary Club, Rehn emphasizes the importance of accessibility to life-saving equipment.
“Now, armed with a second lease on life, I feel a greater sense of purpose than ever before,” Rehn remarked. “I carry the weight of making a meaningful impact with this newfound opportunity.”
Thanks to Coleman’s intervention, Rehn can now pursue these aspirations in his retirement, seeking avenues to save and positively influence more lives in the future.
“The gift bestowed upon me by Heather is immeasurable, and the memories of what could have been will always stay with me,” Pam expressed. “Our gratitude knows no bounds for her skills, readiness to assist, and unwavering commitment, even though it’s no longer her primary domain.”