On February 12, 2012, Aidan Love's life was forever changed on a ski hill in Whistler.

Out with friends for a fun day on the slopes, Love's first run of the day went horribly wrong.

All he remembers is going over a jump and then skidding into a tree. When he woke up in hospital, he was faced with the devastating news – the accident had resulted in a spinal injury that had paralyzed his body from the chest down.

Much has changed in Love's life since that day, but he's still smiling.

It's been a long, tough road back, but today, the 20-year-old University of Victoria student is crediting wheelchair basketball for speeding his recovery and altering his outlook on life.

Prior to his injury, Love was a talented multi-sport athlete. On the ice, he was a standout hockey player with the Whitehorse Mustangs. In the gym, he represented the territory in volleyball at the 2009 Canada Games.

The Porter Creek Secondary School graduate said volleyball was his sport of choice prior to his injury, but now that title goes to wheelchair basketball.

Last Saturday, Love could be found on the gym floor at the Canada Games Centre, playing three-on-three pickup basketball in wheelchairs with his two older brothers and a trio of friends.

Smiles abounded as he and his brothers – Fraser and Taylor – traded shot for shot in an up-tempo game.

Love admitted his family took "a beating” during his long recovery from his accident, but said his parents and brothers have lived up to their last names in sticking by him at all times.

Love's affection for his new sport began as a pastime after a chance meeting with Paralympic wheelchair basketball coach Bo Hedges.

While in rehab at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, Love received a visit from the Hall of Famer, who recommended he try the popular team sport.

Love originally tried the sport out as a pastime at the Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence, but quickly took a liking to the fast-paced game and began playing recreationally every other weekend with the Div. 2 Victoria Chargers.

"It was completely new to me,” he told the Star last week. "It was pretty cool to be part of a team again. It's a lot more than sport. A huge part of the sport is getting involved in community.

"You can shelter yourself or you take a positive approach and learn from your peers,” he added. "I'm a social guy. I learn a lot from other people.”

While he wasn't exactly sure what he could do following the injury, joining a team with similar athletes with common histories helped hurry him down the road to recovery.

Post-game conversations often began with sports but moved to topics such as wheelchair mobility, school, and other life discussions.

In January, Love began working with a personal trainer to build up his arm strength, and by the end of the season, he was competing in Div. 1 tournaments across B.C.

In March, he won rookie of the year honours for his exploits with the Chargers.

"It was really cool to be recognized,” he said. "That's what drove me to train, the recognition I received.”

Now 20, Love admitted he is at the "perfect age” to enter the sport, as he is eligible to play for the junior national team.

Next week, he will meet with the national coach for training in Vancouver.

While he doesn't consider himself a skill player, he said he works hard to give higher-level teammates shot

opportunities in the key.

"I'm not a scorer,” he explained. "I try to open up lanes and hold opponents back.”

The Whitehorse community has worked hard to support Love following his injury.

Last summer, a local ball hockey tournament was held in Porter Creek, raising thousands to help purchase Love a sports wheelchair.

Prior to that, Love was honoured at a Junior B hockey game by his longtime friends Joe Densmore and David Stephens when the Vancouver Island Peninsula Panthers hosted the Victoria Cougars.

Love and his family currently live in a one-level home in the Crestview community – created with much help from family friend Peter Densmore of Ketza Construction.

Paraplegic snowmobile sensation Darryl Tait has also been a big help to Love, helping him adjust to a new life of limited mobility.

"There's a good relationship between us,” said Love.

While he still suffers from "little moments,” Love said his friends have been "amazing” since the accident.

He woke up in his hospital room surrounded by 30 close friends, and Love said they haven't left his side since. His friends have worked hard to make sure Love is still included in everything from camping trips to nights out on the town.

"Everything in my life needs to be a lot more organized now,” Love said. "But having your friends support you and make things accessible is unbelievable.”

Overall, Love is happy to fall in love with a new sport. If his quick rise on the hardcourt continues, he hopes to return to the Canada Games, this time in 2015 with Team B.C.'s wheelchair basketball team.