Oskar Lindblom kicked Cancer’s butt, traveled to Sweden to be with his family and friends, and enjoyed his 24th birthday in the bubble with his team, the Flyers. His everlasting affect has made an imprint on the Flyers locker room, “I look at that and I look at how our players responded to the Oskar situation,” Vigneault said a few weeks ago, “I’m so proud of this group and everybody associated with it. That was a very challenging time for our group and we responded by doing our jobs, staying focused, players being supportive to Oskar, organization and fans being supportive of Oskar. This nomination for me considering what could have happened is extra special. Oskar is healthy now, our team did well, so this is very special for me.”
Lindblom brightens everyone’s day, as Alain Vigneault loves the kid. Now he finally got to play in his first game since December 7 against the Ottawa Senators, a span of 271 days, “Considering obviously what he’s been through, but for me, doesn’t it say so much about the young man that he gets cleared from cancer on July the 2nd,”Vigneault said last night, “We start our camp on July 13th. He goes back home for a couple of days. It just shows you about the young man and he’s will to help. He comes back, spends a couple days in quarantine and starts working out. A month later, he’s helping his teammates win a Game 6 that’s giving us a chance at Game 7. Considering our situation tonight that Coots and Joel weren’t available, for him wanting to play, just say so much about the young man.”
The Flyers coaching staff has done a great job with this young group, and they just love Oskar, “That was a huge boost, “Claude Giroux said following the victory last night, “This kid has so much courage. He played unbelievable too. He hasn’t played since I’m not even sure, but it’s been a long time. It’s been a long battle. This guy’s heart, you have to see it to believe it.”
“I don’t think there’s anything that can describe how proud we all are of him and how much he means to this organization and to our team,” Carter Hart said, “A really special moment for him to come out for his first shift there and to see the support from not only our team, but the Isles all standing up and cheering him on, especially after our goal against. A lot of respect to them for that. You can ask him how he feels. I’m sure he’s pretty excited.”
“I was just trying to think positive thoughts during the whole chemo,” Oskar Lindblom said last night, ” I knew I would play one day, but I didn’t know when. Today’s the day. I’m just lucky to be out there and be with these guys. It doesn’t matter if it’s Game 7 or not. We played like it was Game 7 today and came out with the win. We just have to keep to the system and play the game right. Hopefully we can get a win on Saturday or whenever the next game is. We can’t start thinking about it’s a Game 7. It’s been a Game 7 for us for a long time here.”
Athletes are human too. Lindblom is always happy, upbeat, and in good spirits daily. We are in this fight together with Lindblom.
GO FLYERS !!!