Milton Academy hockey player Jake Thibeault presents the NHL’s Calder Trophy during the awards ceremony

BOSTON — The NHL shone the spotlight Tuesday night on Jake Thibeault, the former Milton Academy hockey player who passed through his high school graduation stage recently after being partially paralyzed in a game l last year.

Thibeault presented the Calder Trophy, the league’s rookie of the year award, to Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider at the NHL Awards Tuesday night in New York.

Thibeault was one of New England’s top high school hockey prospects before his injury last September. He played at Milton Academy and for a private club called the Boston Bulldogs.

During a regional hockey tournament, Thibeault went into the boards and was partially paralyzed from the waist down. He spent the next few days ardently rehabilitating at Journey Forward in Canton and Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown.

But earlier this month he walked across the stage at his high school diploma graduating, using a walker and braces.

Thibeault Told CBS News’ Steve Hartman that he plans to attend Babson College in Massachusetts this fall.