I suspect that among you my dear followers there are few (if any) who share my passion for hockey. It's not an easy game to understand, to follow, or to relate to unless you've played. And most see it as wrestling on ice, or boxing with more than two pugilists combatting at the same time. My lack of objectivity aside, it is probably the most exciting, challenging and athletic sport of them all - combining all of the skills and physicality of any other sport, but all while on ice (think about it). But if you don't get it, you don't - I'm not here to change your mind (your loss - as there truly is nothing as exhilarating as a live hockey game in the chilled cathedral of an ice arena).
This past week, two of the very best players that hockey history has ever known (Mike Bossy/65 and Guy Lafleur/70), passed away within exactly one week of each other. As could be expected within this blog, I should point out that both unfortunately succumbed to lung cancer. Full disclosure, they were both heavy smokers (a long-standing issue that the NHL has been working hard to eradicate; like chewing tobacco and crotch scratching in baseball). Aside from the obvious tragedy and bizarre coincidence, what does this mean to us?
To me at least, it just re-emphasizes that when the scourge comes, it doesn't care if you are weak or strong (as these men both were to the end), young or old, man or woman, world-class athlete or couch potato. This is not intended to scare anyone any further, but just to add another angle of perspective on the indiscriminate nature of the disease. Yes, they both smoked enough to not have been surprised by the diagnosis and eventual prognosis. But modern oncology has made great strides in the treatment of lung cancer.
Regardless, I feel personally compelled to honor these legends, while seeking to leverage the occasion of their passing to remind us of the potential consequences of our actions. Not a lecture, just a moment in life worthy of pause and reflection - beyond their amazing, record-book accomplishments. People will reminisce about their victories and recite their statistics, but in this moment, we must also remind ourselves how they got here and why. Something tells me that in retrospect, they would have traded in all of their hardware for a few more healthy years with their family and friends.
