Subj : Oskar Lindbloms Inspiring 2019-20 Comeback
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers - Main
Date : Thu Sep 10 2020 04:40 am
In the world of sports, the 2019-20 season hasn';t been easy on anyone for
obvious reasons. In a matter of five months, we saw all sports indefinitely
shut down and eventually brought back to either complete their 2019-20 season
or kick off their 2020-21 seasons.
Throughout that time, 24-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom
fought his own separate battle, that was made significantly more difficult by
the global pandemic. Oskar Lindblom, Philadelphia Flyers (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)
Lindblom';s fight with a rare cancer known as Ewing';s Sarcoma put a halt on
what looked to be a breakout season for the Swede. It sent a shockwave through
the hockey community and presented the young star with what would be the most
challenging battle of his life. Related: Ranking NHL Teams By Forwards
Over the course of his eight-month fight, it was incredible to see not just the
way he battled and persevered, but the way the entire hockey and sports world
rallied behind him. Now that the Flyers'; season has come to an end, it';s
worth taking a look back at the inspirational journey of Lindblom. A Fast Start
After joining the Flyers full-time during the 2018-19 season, putting up 33
points in 81 games, Lindblom was starting to look like a great top-six option
in Philadelphia. He developed a solid 200-foot game, added a skillful and
active presence on the forecheck, and brought some production to the Flyers';
second man-up unit.
Through the early stages of the 2019-20 season, Lindblom looked to be on the
verge of a breakout season just a year after his rookie campaign.
He was one of the clear standouts from the get-go, contributing well at
full-strength, finding his touch offensively, and earning almost 20 minutes of
ice time each game.
After 30 games, Lindblom had tallied 18 points including a team-leading 11
goals at the time. Less than a week after playing his 30th game, Lindblom';s
diagnosis shocked the hockey world and brought his remarkable start to a
screeching halt. December Diagnosis
December 13, 2019 is a difficult day to forget for the Flyers, their fans, and
for everyone in the global hockey community. Learning that a 23-year-old, let
alone one of the game';s emerging stars, would begin a battle with cancer was a
crushing feeling.
👏 Flyers are playing for Oskar Lindblom who was diagnosed with Ewing's
sarcoma, a rare form of cancer
Flyers had his #23 jersey hanging in the locker room as a reminder last night
and to honor their teammate
📸 via Zack Hill @6abc @NHLFlyers #OskarStrong #FlyOrDie
pic.twitter.com/OQrqclDVDH- Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) December 15,
2019
From the very beginning, however, Lindblom was a tremendous inspiration. To see
someone so young face a battle of that magnitude head-on with the courage that
he did became something for the players, fans, and the city to rally behind.
Philadelphia, as well as just about every other hockey town in North America,
immediately flooded social media with support for him. The hashtag #OskarStrong
quickly became a way to unite in support as well as to honor the strength
Lindblom would go on to show throughout his fight.
Lindblom';s first time back in front of the Flyers faithful, barely a month
after his diagnosis, was truly one of the most emotionally moving hockey
moments in recent memory.
Oskar Lindblom is back at the Wells Fargo Center and the crowd gave him a
standing ovation. #OskarStrong 💜 pic.twitter.com/mZJvuqzne9- NBC Sports
Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 12, 2020
Unsurprisingly, Lindblom was met with a breathtaking standing ovation with
dozens of fans bearing signs of support.Earning a New Contract
In late June, Lindblom finally got back on the ice for the first time since his
diagnosis. In the closed practice, he was skating strong and showing that a
comeback might be closer than we all expected.
Less than a month later, general manager Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers made
sure that upon Lindblom';s return, he';d remain in the orange and black for
years to come. Oskar Lindblom, Philadelphia Flyers, Oct. 9, 2018 (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)
On July 22, Lindblom was signed to a three-year, $9 million contract extension
with the Flyers. If he gets back to the same level he started the 2019-20
season at, and especially if he can produce at a similar level, the Flyers are
going to have one of their best forwards locked in at a steal of a contract.
Wrapping Up Treatment
Rewind about 20 days before Lindblom signed his new deal with the Flyers. He
had just skated with his teammates for the first time in six months and was
about to hit the most important milestone of his battle.
Just under eight months since his diagnosis Oskar Lindblom wrapped up his final
chemotherapy treatment on July 2, ringing the celebratory bell at the Abramson
Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Fight. Inspire. Overcome. Celebrate.
Ring that bell, @oskarlindblom!@PennMedicine #OskarStrong
pic.twitter.com/RM1PCxHnfY- Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2020
Seeing Lindblom ring that bell, knowing that it signified the end of a long and
difficult journey for him, was easily one of the year';s best moments.
However, even after all the miraculous progress, Lindblom achieved throughout
the NHL pause, he wasn';t done providing some incredibly moving moments. The
Final Return to Play
At the time of Lindblom';s diagnosis, it seemed nearly impossible that we';d
see him back on the ice anytime sooner than 2020-21. Well, after finishing his
treatment and joining the Flyers in the Toronto bubble, he surprised us all
once again.
He's in.
Welcome back, @oskarlindblom. pic.twitter.com/SeMbnLKzur- Philadelphia Flyers
(@NHLFlyers) September 3, 2020
After watching the Flyers'; first 14 games from the stands, and even taking
warmups with them in Game 4, Lindblom';s time finally came in Game 6 of the
second-round series with the New York Islanders.
His role through Games 6 and 7 was obviously limited by coach Alain Vigneault,
but it was simply his presence that meant the most to the Flyers. Just the fact
that he was skating in an NHL game with his teammates after beating cancer in
less than a calendar year was unbelievable. Related: Flyers'; Top Undrafted
Free Agent Signings of All-Time
That';s not to say that Lindblom wasn';t an important piece in the team';s
attempt to comeback in the series either. Logging 16:42 of ice time in Game 6
and 17:30 in Game 7, Lindblom was a valuable addition on the Flyers'; third
line as well as on their second power-play unit.
Lindblom';s unthinkable return to the lineup signified the courage,
perseverance, and determination he displayed throughout his fight with cancer.
It surely gave the Flyers an emotional lift and garnered some stick taps from
both his teammates and the Islanders as well.
Stick taps for @oskarlindblom makes us very happy. 😁 #StanleyCup
pic.twitter.com/ReUavFaLIk- NHL (@NHL) September 4, 2020
There are very few stories like that of Oskar Lindblom. Sure, other athletes
have shown similar fights in overcoming mental or physical health issues, but
very rarely do we see that happen in athletes at such a young age.
Flyers'; captain Claude Giroux had one of the best testaments to Lindblom';s
courage, saying, "this guy';s heart, you have to see it to believe it," after
the conclusion of Game 7.
His story is one of miraculous strength and one that the world of sports won';t
soon forget. It was a comeback that earned praise from the entire sports and
hockey communities, including a finalist nomination for the Masterton Trophy
from the NHL.
He';s been, and continues to be, a massive and constant source of inspiration
for thousands throughout the world and it';ll be a pleasure to see him back in
the orange and black once again next season.
The post Oskar Lindblom';s Inspiring 2019-20 Comeback appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.
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