DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado teenager who lost her leg in a shark attack isn’t just walking again; she’s sharing the spotlight with one of her favorite hockey players.
Seventeen-year-old Annabelle Carlson took the runway Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche’s annual charity brunch, an event that raises money for community programs supported by Kroenke Sports Charities. The fundraiser, now in its third decade, is considered one of the team’s most impactful events of the year.
Carlson walked arm-in-arm with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, drawing applause from a crowd of more than 450 attendees.
Standing tall again has been a long journey for the Colorado high school student. Carlson lost her leg after surviving a shark attack during a family trip to Belize in 2024. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
“I think being negative about things like this — it takes such a toll on how you view yourself and how you get through things,” Carlson said. “But I’d rather see everything like, not everything you lose is a loss.”
Carlson has now returned to skiing and hopes to pick back up with playing her favorite sport, lacrosse. But it took a lot of guts and resilience to get to where she is now.
“In my eyes, she’s extraordinary,” Landeskog said. “What she’s gone through at that age, it’s not easy to do.”
The charity event highlights children who have overcome serious medical challenges, pairing them with Avalanche players for a runway walk to spotlight their strength. Players also served brunch and helped auction off team gear and game tickets.
“It was really cool to meet him,” Carlson said of Landeskog. “It’s definitely a flex. Not everyone gets to meet the Avalanche. I’m super lucky and super excited to be here.”
Having gone through some injuries of his own, including damage to his knee, which took him out of play for several seasons, Landeskog said Carlson’s attitude is remarkable.
“She’s young, she’s brave,” he said. “I feel like she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I feel like I can learn a lot from her as well.”
The team said many players stay in touch with the children and their families long after the event ends, adding that the annual brunch is a day the whole team looks forward to each year.
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