Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa arrives at team camp, still in shock -NHL Preseason Update
Marian Hossa is one of those players that show true dedication to the team he plays for and even more for those who are close to him. The veteran forward of Chicago Blackhawks arrived at the teams’ training camp on Wednesday, September 21, after mourning
the death good friend and NHL player, Pavol Demitra.
Demitra was a victim in the September 7 crash of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League’s (KHL) Yaroslavl Lokomotiv team and had been very close to Hossa for many years.
It was especially tough to deal with the fresh situation as his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter.
"It was a tough week, the tragic accident that happened", Hossa said after his first practice Wednesday. "It was terrible. I lost a couple of people that I knew very well and one very close one. And after a couple of days my daughter was born so from death
to birth, it was upside down".
Now finally returning from his hometown of Stara Lubovna in Slovakia, Hossa just hopes that his whirlwind of emotions will not interfere in his career.
Understanding his situation, the team management was not hesitant in giving the veteran player to ease himself of tense situations he was facing at the moment.
"It's tough", head coach, Joel Quenneville, said. "It's his neighbor, his buddy, his best friend. There is a lot going on there. It's a trying time for him. I commend him on how he's handled it. I think his approach and attitude was excellent today and I
think he's in the right place".
Throughout the 2011 NHL offseason, Hossa assured that he had more than enough time to rest and comprise himself for the next season but due to the sudden death of Pavol Demitra, his world went upside down all of a sudden.
Last season, the former 12th overall draft pick by Ottawa Senators, potted 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 65 games played. Being a player who has also scored 100 points in his career, Hossa is a vital part of Chicago’s line-up and being mentally
fit is something they cannot compromise.
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