CALGARY -- San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton was invited but decided not to come to Canada's Olympic orientation camp this week because of a family matter.
ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun was first to report Monday that Thornton remained home because his two-month old boy, River, was in the hospital. River is now out of the hospital, but LeBrun reported that Hockey Canada fully understands his reason for not attending the orientation camp.
"Our wives are best friends," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said. "He made the right decision. You got to stay home. Family is the most important thing."
Thornton joins Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux as the two players not in attendance despite being invited. Giroux is not here because he is rehabbing his surgically repaired finger.
Thornton has played for Canada at the previous two Olympics, winning gold in 2010.
"Obviously we're all hoping that his son is OK and it sounds like he's getting better, which is good," Sharks center Logan Couture said. "We miss not having Joe here. I'll be headed to San Jose once this camp ends and we'll get to catch up with him."
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