Oilers' Vasily Podkolzin shares emotional moment with Kraken player after personal losses
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
In Edmonton's game against the Kraken last night, we witnessed a heartfelt example of why the NHL truly is a brotherhood.
Ex-Panther returns to lineup after death of his brother
Brandon Montour returned to the Seattle Kraken lineup in their 3-2 win against the Oilers last night, following a personal leave of absence due to the death of his older brother, Cameron Noble-Montour.
"So, my older brother's been dealing with ALS for three, four years now, and it was a rough week," Montour said before the game on Saturday. "I'm very proud and very happy to be his brother. He's somebody that I've looked up to since, obviously, Day 1. [He was] a great son, brother, best friend, father. He's got two baby girls."
During a break in play, Edmonton's Podkolzin approached Montour to share a moment of true human compassion, the former understanding all too well the pain of losing a family member.
Vasily, you'll recall, was granted a leave of absence after his father, Alexander, suddenly passed away Tuesday September 23rd.
The news of Podkolzin's father's death came immediately after he'd signed a three-year contract extension.
The NHL brotherhood supported their friend and teammate, helping him in this difficult time.
«He's a brother," said Seattle captain Jordan Eberle. "I mean, anytime someone goes through something like that, it's extremely hard. Just for him to be out here tonight and battling with us, it just shows his compassion and the level that he has You just try to be there as much as you can for him.»
In 82 games last year, the first time Vasily played a full NHL schedule, he recorded 8G and 16A. He also scored 3G and 7A in the postseason as well, as the Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 26 | 644 ANSWERS Oilers' Vasily Podkolzin shares emotional moment with Kraken player after personal losses How happy are you with Vasily Podkolzin's play this year? | ||
| very happy | 292 | 45.3 % |
| happy | 301 | 46.7 % |
| not happy | 51 | 7.9 % |
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