“I knew it was going to be tough, but you don’t know until it actually happens.” NHLers have had a tough time saying goodbye to family as they prepare to travel to the hub cities.
FaceTime and video conferencing platforms will have to do when it comes to staying in touch with loved ones.
“There was a large group of guys that were worried about being away,” said Spezza, who has a wife and four daughters. “It’s a good way to sell it to guys that it’s something we can do and pull off and the families can handle.He also stressed players are fortunate to be in this position given the devastating impact the novel coronavirus has had around the world.
“That’s part of our profession,” he added of being apart. “It’s going to be a little more time away, but realistically in playoffs you’re gone basically the whole time anyways, even game days at home you barely see your family. “It’s such a tough thing, right?” said Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe, who’s married with two sons. “You miss them and you love them, and the greatest challenge of all of this is the harder you work and the more success you have, the you’re are apart.”
Every player had the chance to opt out of the resumption of play without penalty, and Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith said it was a difficult decision to leave his young family behind.
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