2024-03-27 11:26:15
Martin St-Louis gave his first press briefing in 10 days, a few hours before the Canadian’s match in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday evening.
The head coach had to leave the team on March 16 to go to his son Mason’s bedside.
The 16-year-old had to be hospitalized following multiple complications related to an injury sustained in a match for his team, the U15 Mid-Fairfield, in Connecticut. His condition has since stabilized and he was able to return home, the Canadian said in a press release on Monday.
I’m happy to be back for several reasons, the main one is that things are stable at home, the father told the members of the media present on site. It hasn’t been an easy week, but I’m happy to be back because my passion is my family and hockey, in that order.
Mason is returning to normal a little, my wife and I too, he also clarified. These are difficult times for the child and the parents, especially for my wife. I missed a little bit of it, but it was there. I have a good team here, but I also have a very good one at home.
Despite the worrying moments he went through, St-Louis did not miss anything of the Canadian’s four games during his absence, the three defeats in Western Canada and Sunday’s victory in Seattle.
I’m so proud to be part of this organization, the way things have gone over the last 10 days, internally, but also their behavior, not just during the games, said St-Louis. I am in contact with my coaches during training and everyone in the group has taken their responsibilities so that things do not change. Their attitude, their work ethic, the way they played, I watched that and I was really proud.
St-Louis greeted its players, one by one, upon their arrival in Colorado on Monday. A moving reunion for the coach and the man.
Ten days like that remind me why I fell in love with hockey. It’s not just sport on the ice, it’s everything that it brings. It’s a small community. The support I received, across the league, from my team and my players, you can’t buy that. It’s special and I was happy to see them again yesterday, to thank them in person.
Of course there were a lot of emotions, we were happy to see him again, it means above all that things are better for him and his family, but also because our coach is back, told journalists defenseman Mike Matheson.
All the players have a lot of respect for him, he added. Not only for what he did as a player, but also for his attitude every day, the way he leads us, added the player.
As for the match against the powerful Avalanche, St-Louis knows that it will be an immense challenge to overcome.
They have nine wins in a row, they don’t lose often at home, but these are challenges that we like and are ready to take on.
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