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Despite his aggressive tendencies, Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella is a human being with a soft spot for things that resonate with him.
For example, Tortorella is a noted dog lover, and he’s earned laurels for his kindness to animals and his charitable endeavors.
This week, we’re seeing another side of Tortorella – in this case, a very kind gesture to Guy Gaudreau, father of Columbus Blue Jackets star winger Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed on Aug. 29 by an alleged drunk driver.
The Flyers extended an invitation to Guy Gaudreau to attend their training camp at Philadelphia’s training facility in New Jersey. And as Tortorella explained, it was an offer to a man in deep mourning for the tragic deaths of two of his children.
“I called (him) and wanted to know if he wanted to come out,” Tortorella said of his discussion with Guy Gaudreau. “It’s pretty close to home as far as with his family and what’s going on there…I never met Johnny and Matt in my travels as a coach, but (it’s) a horrific situation.”
Of course, Guy Gaudreau will have to live with that for the rest of his life. But Gaudreau – a hockey coach in his own right – can carry on by immersing himself in the sport and paying homage to Johnny and Matthew by participating in things like Flyers practices.
It’s a measure of Tortorella’s humanity that he took the initiative to invite Guy Gaudreau to his team’s camp. In a no-win situation like this one, Gaudreau can take at least a sliver of solace that he’s honoring his late children by doing things they would’ve done themselves and being with a supportive group of people who want to see him stay active and improve every day through hockey.
In the worst times, the hockey community often steps up to provide whatever help they can for people, and that’s what we’re seeing here. Tortorella’s act of kindness can only help Gaudreau, so kudos to him and the Flyers organization for the invite, and kudos to Gaudreau for helping out and sharing his hockey wisdom with the team.
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Related: Johnny And Matthew Gaudreau’s Funeral Was About Love And Family, Not Hockey
News Summary:
- Tortorella's Kind Gesture To Gaudreau Family A Measure Of Flyers Coach's Humanity
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