Haitian Earthquake Reaches NHL

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Jan 19, 02:27 PM | Hype this story!

There are times in life when everything gets put into perspective and we realize just how meaningless, in the grand scheme of things, sports really are.

Today marks one week since a 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti and impacted so many people’s lives.

While the NHL community has been relatively lucky, suffering minimal losses, at least one player, former Pittsburgh Penguin enforcer Georges Laraque, is holding out hope that missing family members will be found alive.

“There are still some we haven’t heard from, and we just have to wait and see,” Laraque, whose parents both were born in Haiti, said, according to the New York Times. “It’s hard to be in this position where you’re in Canada and living a good life and then seeing what’s going on down there.”

Laraque is one of a “handful” of NHL players of Haitian decent, and he certainly hasn’t forgotten his heritage.

“I’m thinking of going down there during the Olympic break, to see if there’s anything I can do,” he said Sunday at Madison Square Garden before the Canadiens lost to the Rangers, 6-2. “When you hear, like yesterday, that 100,000 were lost, you just pray and hope that nothing more happens.”

The tragic natural disaster hasn’t just impacted those who have connections to the small country, and teams around the league are showing tremendous support.

For one, the Penguins will hold a fundraiser before Thursday’s game against the Washington Capitals to collect money to benefit earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Laraque’s Montreal Canadiens donated $100,000, and the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames all have announced fundraisers similar to the one being held by the Penguins.

“While our prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Haiti at this time of urgent need, we as Canadians need to do much more to provide critical support,” said Flames President & CEO Ken King, according to NHL.com.

The NHL also has stepped in, donating $100,000 to UNICEF’s relief effort.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

At the Penguins game Thursday

  • Gates 1, 3, and 10 prior to the game

American Red Cross

UNICEF America

UNICEF Canada

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Jan 19, 02:47 PM

    This is one thing that the NHL does that makes me proud of them. Especially the players themselves. They always pitch in and help unfortunate victims and people hurt by circumstance.
    I heard on the news last night that the death toll may be up over 200,000.
    Just think about that…200,000!!!! That is devasting in the extreme. It makes me thankful for all the blessings I have.

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