Hockey Finds its way to Lindy Ruff to Help Heal | FEATURE

From time to time we are treated to feel-good stories of how sports helped people heal in times they needed it the most.
Just recently, a child cancer survivor declared now-retired Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was his inspiration, helping him defeat brain cancer. And a Seattle Kraken fan spotted a cancerous mole on the Vancouver Canucks equipment manager's neck at a game and pointed it out, perhaps saving his life in the process.
We've seen sports teams come together to represent their communities in times of loss or tragedy. Each season, the hockey community at large rallies around causes such as Hockey Fights Cancer or driving conversations about inclusiveness.

Sports can provide hope. They can provide an outlet or an escape.
For New Jersey Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff, hockey found its way to him during a time of grief in the most organic and wholesome way.
Ruff is currently in Western Canada with his family dealing with the news of his father Leeson's passing on Jan. 28. Leeson was 88.

While in Warburg, Alberta, where Ruff's mother lives currently, a youth hockey team from Leduc, AB was in town for practice. His mother's neighbor's son came over to give her a hug when he saw Lindy was there.
"Can you come to watch my practice?"
The young boy asked, eagerly.
"Of course," his mother said. "Lindy, you have to go. They are so good to me."
The Devils were playing Toronto and Ruff wanted to watch his club play. He politely told the boy he would have some work to do but was met with a great idea from the youngster.
"Come right after the game is over!" he replied.
Ruff agreed to the arrangement and went to the practice. Next thing you know, the coach with the 7th most wins in NHL history was drawing a drill on the board [a Devils drill].

Reports from the practice were that the kids were having a great time, even when Ruff - true to himself and in the image of how his father used to coach him - barked at them to pay attention.
Even in a time of loss and sadness, the sport of hockey found its way to Ruff and gave him a distraction to help heal. And his dad would be smiling.
Ruff will be with the Devils when they return to play Ottawa following the All-Star break.