Player told he'd be a healthy scratch on Hockey Fights Cancer night, just months after dad died of cancer

It's been quite a roller coaster ride for Vancouver Canucks and for forward Brock Boeser. First off, Boeser lost his dad to cancer this past summer. This season has already been an emotional rise for him and his family. On top of that, head coach Bruce Boudreau stated that Boeser would not be playing in last night's game due to «tough love.» Boeser has not had the best start to the season. He only has four goals in nineteen games played and his defensive effort has not been his best at times. So it appeared that Boeser was not going to play on a special night.

At that point, Boeser's agent was given permission from the Canucks to start talking to other teams. It seemed like this could have signaled the end of Boeser's career in Vancouver. Boeser was clearly upset to not be in the lineup for such a special occasion and his feelings were hurt. Despite all of this, Dakota Joshua injured himself at the morning skate and Boeser played anyways. He seized the opportunity by tying the game late in the third period and Vancouver won in overtime.

It was a very important game for me and my family, so when I came in this morning and my name wasn't on the white board it hurt - it hurt bad.

At the very least, you'd have to imagine that the relationship between Boeser and the Canucks is strained. If his agent has already talking to other teams perhaps the damage between the two has already been done. It's definitely something to keep an eye on. But this definitely is a knock on Boudreau with this tone deaf roster decision.

Previously on Bladeofsteel

Western Conference team came close to acquiring Wayne Simmonds

The NHL's double standard for star players continues after Nikita Kucherov's hit from behind

Nick Foligno and Andreas Englund drop the gloves for the best scrap of the night

POLL
4 DECEMBRE \| 100 ANSWERS Player told he'd be a healthy scratch on Hockey Fights Cancer night, just months after dad died of cancer Was it right for Boudreau to try and scratch Boeser?
That's a terrible choice	43	43 %
You're playing to win, so dress your best lineup	57	57 %
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