Kris Letang’s Resilience: Navigating Grief, Strokes, and Loss to Find Perspective Beyond Hockey…
Before a recent away game, Pittsburgh Penguins’ star defenseman Kris Letang decided to inject some joy into the pre-game warmup.
Amidst flipping practice pucks to fans donning the Penguins’ black-and-yellow jerseys, Letang showcased a lighthearted side, a stark contrast to the challenges he faced a year prior.
In a five-week span, Letang dealt with a stroke and the loss of his father. However, as his love for hockey became a catalyst for emotional recovery, Letang gained a profound new outlook on life.
“Sometimes you get caught up with day-to-day life, especially with hockey,” Letang reflects. “You get caught up just worrying about a game you just played or the practice that just happened, and you don’t see the big picture.”
Letang’s second stroke occurred eight years after the first, caused by a blood clot moving to his brain through a small opening in the heart’s chambers.
Despite the initial fear, Letang, guided by medical advice, opted for medication and a brief hiatus from the game, returning to help the Penguins clinch the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
In November of the previous year, Letang faced his second stroke. Remarkably, he returned to the ice on December 10, playing a significant role in a home victory against the Buffalo Sabres.
However, tragedy struck again when, days after breaking his foot against the Detroit Red Wings, Letang received the news of his father’s passing.
“The stroke, at that point, was pretty meaningless,” Letang reveals. “My dad was somebody that was really close to me, really close to my kids.”
The grief deepened as Letang grappled with the dynamics of his family and the loss of a supportive figure. His father, Claude Fouquet, had become a cherished member of the Penguins’ extended family, joining players’ trips and forming friendships with other players’ fathers.
Amidst grieving and healing from a broken foot, Letang’s wife encouraged him to return to the rink, a decision that proved pivotal. “He loves to play hockey and he loves being around his teammates,” says coach Mike Sullivan.
Letang’s return was triumphant, marked by a winning goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers and his 1,000th career game on April 2.
Letang’s perseverance and dedication were recognized with the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, a testament to his ability to overcome adversity.
Despite his superstar status, Letang’s passion for the game, coupled with the perspective gained through loss, emphasizes the significance of life beyond hockey.
“My dad was somebody that enjoyed every second of his life, and you never know when that life is going to be taken away from you,” Letang reflects. “Life is bigger than just hockey.”
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