Tuukka Rask explains why he left the Bruins
Tuukka Rask spoke on the phone with WEEI’s Greg Hill on Tuesday, explaining his sudden departure from his team during their playoff run. Hill revealed the contents of that conversation during his show on Wednesday morning:
“He is concerned right now with not being a further distraction for his team, which is in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Hill said. “He would prefer not to be the story and be something those guys are asked about repeatedly as they try to win a Stanley Cup.
“I can tell you that he got a phone call in the bubble from his wife, because there was a medical emergency with their daughter. Basically the kind of situation where I believe Tuukka Rask did what every parent would do and was obviously very concerned. It was suggested they seek medical help. Without revealing what that was, because I think I probably should leave that to him — he did tell me — as a father of two kids, I would be panicked and alarmed upon hearing that about a young kid.
“Again, without necessarily revealing what he would not want me to reveal, he did speak to his daughter and his daughter did express something to him about where he was and what her situation was, which I think would lead any father, any parent, especially one who feels like that’s their most important job, parenting, to want to rush to be with their family at that time. Personally, I can’t imagine being away from your family, away from your young kids, hearing your daughter say what she said, and not being panicked.
“So he made the decision to come home, and I think he knew that there was no way while that was going on that he would be the best teammate, be the best goaltender for that team that is in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
If this reasoning doesn’t justify his departure for you, then you’re probably not a great person. Regardless of what we may have initially thought of the decision, it sounds like there was legitimate reason for concern in regards to the health of his child.