Quote:
“Like every parent, everything we do is to provide and protect our kids and try to take away any suffering they may endure. Last year, we spent the longest, scariest and hardest week of our lives by our daughter’s hospital bedside. We were unsure of what would come next but with God’s strength our little girl fought her respiratory virus and recovered. During that long week, we were helpless and couldn’t do anything to help her except hold her little hand, kiss her head, and pray. We saw what a respiratory virus can do to our healthy little girl and it’s something no parent wants or should go through. Now blessed with our second child, a baby boy, the risk of today’s COVID-19 pandemic is a very difficult to weigh as parents.
“Due to what my daughter already has gone through and the concerns if she were to catch COVID-10, I’ve decided to opt out and seek a leave of absence from the Calgary Flames for the remainder of the playoffs. I wish I could lace up my skates and be out there battling, blocking a shot and helping the team win but my family has and always will come first. Being my little kids’ dad everyday is the most important job I have,” the statement read. “I love this game and my team. This is a decision that is extremely hard for me to make. I wish my teammates the best of luck and good health. I look forward to joining the C of Red, the greatest fans in the NHL, in cheering on my teammates as they chase the opportunity to bring the Stanley Cup home to Calgary.”
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https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...return-to-play
As a parent myself, I'm not sure how I can put myself in his shoes, read his statement, and then come in here and complain and insult the guy like others have. I probably would have done the same thing he did. It's a friggin' game. Family comes first. He was obviously very concerned last season (for good reason), and seems to be more comfortable now to come back. Good for him. I wish him all the best.