"There's not a day" he doesn't think about it

Tarik's story for Tuesday's paper on Theo dealing with the death of his son.

about 2 years ago gfcaps fan 14 comments 0 recs |

Comments

No matter what you think of him as a player, this story will have you wanting to give him a hug.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Mar 1, 2010 9:31 PM EST reply actions

As a father you ache for him. Noone can imagine losing a child especially so early. Life is not fair most of the time. He just happens to play one of the most pressure packed positions in all of sports where mental focus is at a premium at every second you are on the ice. Its unfortunate he had such a short time to grieve but I can only imagine how badly he wanted to get back to work to get his mind off it. My heart goes out to him and his family.

by DonCaps819 on Mar 1, 2010 9:55 PM EST reply actions

So early, and yet so late. Somehow I think it would be less hard (not to be confused with easier) to lose a child in the 3rd trimester… some point where you’re attached emotionally, but the kid isn’t fully “real” yet. To have the kid for a couple months then to lose him, I’m not sure I could recover from that.

I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.

by iwearstripes on Mar 2, 2010 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

Speechless.

"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."

by CapitalCentre on Mar 1, 2010 9:59 PM EST reply actions

Just unimaginable.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Mar 1, 2010 10:06 PM EST reply actions

Theo...

I still remember celebrating my daughter’s 21st birthday at Morton’s last April. It was the evening after the Caps lost game 2 to the Rangers and were behind in the series 2-0. Theo was there with his family. Despite the fact he had a bad game in game 1, and not happy that he was benched for game 2, he was every bit the doting father to his young daughter.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Mar 1, 2010 10:09 PM EST reply actions

a gut punch. Just horrible.

BTW, here is the info on how to donate the Theo’s organization, Saves For Kids.

Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"

by RedBirdie on Mar 1, 2010 10:16 PM EST reply actions

I may donate something soon. I have a very close friend whose son was born premature and with other very serious problems, and the kid is now a normal 5-year-old. Amazing how randomly things like this can strike, and how random the outcomes can be.

If y’all wanted to put some kind of benefit or contest together to raise some cash, I’d definitely be in. Not sure what it would be. The 10¢ per post on a GDT has been done — it’d be fun to come up with something new and creative in that vein.

Perhaps we can do “60 for 60?” — get 60 people to pledge a certain amount or something like that?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Mar 2, 2010 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

I was thinking about a benefit this morning, too. I’m up for it, though I’m fresh out of ideas.

I have a C on my heart.

by boutros23 on Mar 2, 2010 7:09 AM EST up reply actions

Would defenitly like to donate something. My Wife was a premie.

by crafty on Mar 2, 2010 8:36 AM EST up reply actions

If we win the Stanley Cup, Theo should get second dibs after Ovie.

Everyone wants to kill the king. But the prince, he just sails along telling all the ladies, "One day I'm gonna be king."

I'm on that bird thingy.

by Steck It Out on Mar 1, 2010 11:37 PM EST reply actions

Jose should be given a lot of credit for opening up to TEB about this incredibly painful event. And TEB and his editor should also be given props for bringing the foundation front and center to us readers.
One thing that Jose said is remarkably true: he doesn’t want to make dealing with the memory of losing his son “easier”. That emotion is very strong – you never want to let go.

by S h a g g y on Mar 2, 2010 9:33 AM EST reply actions

Alot of credit to Tarik for bringing out this story, especially after Jose got so jaded with the media because of his days in Montreal. To talk about something so deep and personal to a member of the media shows how well Tarik does at developing relationships with the players and shows hes not out to get them.

by DonCaps819 on Mar 2, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

At Christmas, when the Capitals Insider reported that Theo was breaking hockey sticks, and saying he “just worked here”, I remember thinking there might be some context that we didn’t see. At the time, I wondered about the tone of Tarik’s report, and whether he might have been looking for a goalie controversy or an unhappy displaced veteran angle. Props to Tarik for this story, which clearly took a lot of trust on Jose’s part, and a lot of careful listening on his.

by miseenjeu on Mar 3, 2010 10:55 PM EST reply actions