A Manitoba Junior League hockey player who was paralyzed after crashing during a game earlier this month says he's determined to walk again. Meanwhile, donations keep pouring in to help cover his medical expenses.

Braden Pettinger, 20, of the Portage La Prairie Terriers was paralyzed after crashing head-first into the boards during a game on Nov. 12.

He underwent major surgery following the accident, but it is not known whether he will recover from his injuries.

Days after the crash, a Go Fund Me Page was set up to help Pettinger's family cover the cost of his medical and travel expenses. As of Monday morning, more than $119,000 had been donated to the family. 

On Saturday, Pettinger's family took time before a Terriers fundraiser to thank all of the supporters, many who were in the stands that night.

His uncle, Larry Pettinger, said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming for the entire family.

"Every name on that Go Fund Me page has been read and re-read," he told the crowd from centre ice. "The names they recognize and all others are etched into their minds."

Additional money was raised during Saturday's game, with proceeds from a 50/50 draw being donated to the family as well.

Larry Pettinger later told CTV Winnipeg that it's hard for the family to find enough ways to express their gratitude.

"It's heartwarming, that's exactly what it is," he said. "An unbelievable level of compassion still exists in the world today."

Portage Terriers Vice President Stan Killam said although Pettinger was not on the ice, his presence is still widely felt by the entire organization.

"He's part of our team," he said. "Once a Terrier, always a Terrier."

Meanwhile, Pettinger's family says he'll rely on the skills he developed playing hockey to get him through his recovery.

"With his personality as a hockey player, it wasn't easy for him. He wasn't a natural; he had to work through it," Larry Pettinger said. "And this is going to have to be something he'll work through also."

And this same message of perseverance and determination was shared with all of Pettinger's supporters. Before the fundraiser started, his uncle read a personal message from the injured defenceman, sharing it with everyone in the arena.

"Someday, I'm going to walk back into that building and thank each and every one of you," Pettinger said in the message.

With a report from CTV Winnipeg's Beth Macdonell