Far too often, we’re reminded of the ills in professional sports. Sure we watch, but how many of us are disgusted with the Tim Donaghy scandal in basketball, frustrated by the rap sheet of Pacman (excuse me, Adam) Jones, or infuriated with how Michael Vick treats his dogs? It’s enough to make a sports nut want to flip away from SportsCenter in search of happier programming. Hallmark Channel anyone?

But, every so often, we’re reminded that the people who make up sports are just that: people. We remember that compassion still exists in the mega corporations that control pro sports.

One such story took place this past weekend.

On Saturday, the 2008 NHL Draft took place in Ottawa. Eighteen year old David Carle should have been having the weekend of his life; he was just coming off his final season of high school, preparing to attend the University of Denver on a hockey scholarship. And on top of all that, he was about to be drafted. His heart, however, had other ideas.

A routine scan at the NHL combine turned up a rare heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- or an abnormal thickening of the heart. The disease is linked to sudden deaths in athletes. The result? Instead of contacting NHL teams about his hockey abilities, Carle’s agent told teams that his client’s hockey career was over before it really began.

Just like that, Carle’s dream of being an NHL defenseman was dashed. Would he have made it? Says his brother, San Jose Shark and former Hobey Baker (think: the Heisman of college hockey) winner, “He’s better than me.
” So that’s it, case-closed, tough luck, it’s a hard knock life, right?

Wrong.

After hearing Carle’s story, new Tampa Bay Lightning owner Oren Koules had an idea. Koules had a connection to Carle’s high school and was particularly touched by his story. So Koules campaigned for the Lightning to honor Carle by making him a late-round draft pick. The Lightning, satisfied with their draft class which was highlighted by first overall pick Steven Stamkos, agreed.

And when Tampa Bay went on the clock with the 203rd pick of the draft, they called Carle’s name. “The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL, and I didn’t see why he shouldn’t be,” said Koules.

As for Carle, he’ll be plenty busy the next four years. DU will honor his scholarship, and Carle will try to adjust to the new turn his life has taken. Is he bitter? “I’m really quite fortunate (doctors) were able to find it before it was too late.”

Kind-hearted owners drafting level-headed hockey players with heart conditions? Try finding that on Hallmark.