Larsson returns to find supportive teammates
Adam Larsson needed and missed his teammates almost as much as his teammates needed and missed him.
It was a heartfelt and emotional reunion when the defenceman returned to the Edmonton Oilers for the first time since the death of his 50-year-old father, Robert.
Larsson met with the team in Las Vegas Thursday night and flew with them to Glendale, Ariz., where he took part in a brief practice Friday afternoon. He led the stretch at centre ice as his teammates welcomed him back with a stick tap.
“It means a lot, especially for me as a close friend outside of hockey,” said Oscar Klefbom. “It feels very good to have him back here. Everybody in this room is happy to have him back. He’s a big leader and a big key for this group.
“He makes everybody feel good when he’s here. I’m very happy to have him back.”
Larsson, who flew back to Sweden for the funeral, hadn’t been around the team for almost three weeks. Even though the pain is still fresh, he said being on a rink with his friends again is the best place for him.
“Even through these tough times, I think hockey is the best therapy for me right now,” he said after practice. “Being around the guys kind of gets your mind off of everything so I’m glad to be back. Overall, I think hockey is best for me right now.”
It’s a built-in support group — more than 30 people in the dressing all willing to do whatever they can to help make things a little easier.
“They have been a tremendous support for me throughout this,” he said. “Even the management and the organization, everyone from the front office, has been a tremendous support. I’ll be forever thankful for that. Even to let me go home is something I can’t thank them enough for.”
The Oilers know there isn’t much you can say or do when somebody close to you loses their father unexpectedly, but they all made it known whatever he needs, he will get.
“The most important thing is to just let him know we’re here, the whole team is here for him and wants to help him in any way possible,” said Klefbom, adding they are all hurting over this. “Especially me as a fellow Swede, it’s been tough for me. I didn’t know what to say or what to do right after the tragedy happened. I just want to be there for him and let him know that we all care.”
The Oilers will also draw inspiration from Larsson. He is one of the leaders when it comes to humour and dry wit, a calming presence in the room.
“It means a lot for our team,” said head coach Todd McLellan. “Now is a good time to bring him back into the locker-room. Nobody is feeling good about themselves. We can reflect on what he’s gone through as an individual and that’s a lot more important than hockey.
“In some strange way, he can lift our spirits a little bit. It was nice to see him out there, he was in the middle of the circle for the stretch. We all deeply care about him so it’s something we can rally around as well.”
Larsson never had the Oilers far from his mind. He even found time to get a few skates in while he was in Sweden, so he hopes he can be back in the lineup soon.
Whether he plays Saturday against Arizona remains to be seen. It’s a fast train to be jumping on right now — with the Oilers playing back-to-back afternoon games there won’t be any morning skates or practice days to get up to speed.
“He hasn’t been skating much, so we want to make sure he’s put into a situation where he has a chance to succeed,” McLellan said. “That will be determined by the training staff and Adam himself.”