Les Borsheim Obituary, Colorado — The Colorado hockey community is mourning the passing of Les Borsheim, affectionately known to generations of fans as “Borshy.” A former professional hockey player, longtime Colorado Eagles broadcaster, mentor and inspirational community figure, Borsheim leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond his achievements on the ice.

For those connected to the Colorado Eagles and hockey throughout Northern Colorado, Borsheim became a familiar and respected presence. His story included professional success, a devastating motorcycle accident that changed the course of his life, and an extraordinary determination to remain involved in the sport and community he loved.

His passing represents the loss of someone whose influence was felt by teammates, young athletes, fans and countless people who heard his story of perseverance.

Les Borsheim’s Career With the Colorado Eagles

Borsheim spent three seasons playing for the Colorado Eagles, establishing himself as part of an important period in the organization’s history.

One of the highlights of his playing career came during the 2006–07 season, when he helped the Eagles capture the Central Hockey League championship.

His time as a professional hockey player also included appearances with the Philadelphia Phantoms, Oklahoma City Blazers and Quad City Mallards.

Known for his toughness and commitment to the game, Borsheim developed connections with teammates and supporters that would continue long after his playing career came to an unexpected end.

Motorcycle Accident Changed His Life in 2008

In 2008, Borsheim suffered devastating injuries in a serious motorcycle accident.

The crash left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair, dramatically changing the life of an athlete who had spent years competing professionally.

For many people, an injury of that magnitude could have meant leaving hockey completely behind. Borsheim, however, found another way to remain connected to the game.

Rather than allowing the accident to become the final chapter of his hockey story, he eventually transformed his knowledge and experience into a new role that would make him familiar to another generation of Colorado Eagles supporters.

His response to the life-changing accident also became an important part of the inspirational message he later shared throughout Northern Colorado.

From Hockey Player to Beloved Eagles Broadcaster

Borsheim returned to the Colorado Eagles organization in a different capacity when he became the team’s color analyst in 2011.

It became another remarkable chapter in his relationship with the organization.

Over the following 15 seasons, Borsheim brought his firsthand knowledge of professional hockey into the broadcast booth.

His understanding of the sport, enthusiasm and distinctive perspective made him a recognizable voice for Eagles fans following the team season after season.

For longtime supporters, “Borshy” became more than a former player discussing hockey. His presence in the booth connected different generations of the Eagles organization, from the years he spent competing on the ice to the seasons he spent explaining and celebrating the game from behind a microphone.

Team Borsheim and His Work Throughout Northern Colorado

Borsheim’s influence was not limited to professional hockey.

Through Team Borsheim, he used his personal experiences to speak with students and community organizations throughout Northern Colorado.

His story carried a powerful message about adapting when life changes unexpectedly.

Having experienced the transition from professional athlete to living with paralysis following a serious accident, Borsheim was able to speak about perseverance from personal experience.

He encouraged others facing their own difficulties to continue moving forward despite circumstances they could not control.

That work became another significant part of his legacy.

Mentor and Supporter of Youth Hockey

Borsheim also remained closely connected to hockey through his involvement with young athletes.

He served as a mentor and coach, sharing both his knowledge of the sport and lessons learned throughout his own life.

For young players, having someone with professional hockey experience available to offer advice represented an opportunity to learn from someone who understood the demands of the game.

But Borsheim’s example extended beyond athletic performance.

His life demonstrated that a person’s connection to something they love can continue even when circumstances force them to participate differently than they once imagined.

Tributes Remember His Courage and Positive Outlook

Following news of Les Borsheim’s passing, those connected to his life are remembering a man whose toughness extended well beyond the hockey rink.

Former teammates, broadcasters, supporters and community members have reflected on his courage, kindness and positive outlook.

As a player, toughness was part of his identity.

After his accident, however, resilience took on an entirely different meaning.

He continued building relationships, contributing to hockey, supporting young athletes and sharing his experience with people throughout the community.

For many who encountered him after 2008, that determination became just as important to his legacy as anything he accomplished during his professional playing career.

A Lasting Part of Colorado Eagles History

Few people have experienced a relationship with a professional sports organization from as many perspectives as Borsheim did with the Colorado Eagles.

He was a player and championship team member.

Later, he became a broadcaster whose voice accompanied Eagles fans for 15 seasons.

Away from professional games, he became a mentor, coach and community advocate.

Together, those roles created a connection to the organization that extended across decades.

His passing will therefore be felt by people who knew him during very different chapters of his life.

Some will remember watching him play. Others will remember listening to him call Eagles games. Young athletes may remember his guidance, while students and community members may remember hearing his story through Team Borsheim.

Les Borsheim’s Cause of Death and Funeral Arrangements

The specific date and circumstances surrounding Les Borsheim’s death have not been provided in the information currently available.

Likewise, details regarding his official cause of death, funeral services, visitation or memorial arrangements have not been included.

Those details should be confirmed through his family, an official obituary, the Colorado Eagles or another appropriate source before being reported as fact.

For now, attention remains focused on remembering the remarkable life he lived and the contributions he made to hockey and his community.

Remembering “Borshy”

Les Borsheim’s story ultimately became about much more than hockey.

Professional sports provided the beginning of his public journey, but what happened after his playing career demonstrated another side of his character.

Following an accident that fundamentally changed his life, he found new ways to contribute rather than walking away from the community and sport that meant so much to him.

His legacy lives through the Colorado Eagles organization, the championship team he helped represent, 15 seasons in the broadcast booth, Team Borsheim, the young hockey players he mentored and the people throughout Northern Colorado who found encouragement in his story.

Les “Borshy” Borsheim will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former teammates, fellow broadcasters, young athletes, Colorado Eagles fans and everyone whose life he touched. His determination in the face of extraordinary adversity will remain an important part of how he is remembered. May his loved ones find comfort in the memories they shared with him and in knowing that his influence will continue throughout the hockey and Northern Colorado communities for years to come.

Disclaimer

This obituary is based on the information available at the time of publication. Details concerning Les Borsheim’s death, official cause of death, personal biography, surviving family members and funeral or memorial arrangements should be confirmed through his family, an official obituary, the Colorado Eagles or other appropriate reliable sources. Information may be updated if additional verified details become available. This article is intended for general informational and memorial purposes and should not be treated as a substitute for an official obituary, family announcement or funeral notice.