Lightning’s Maroon mocked, donates to charity
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pat Maroon was mocked by NESN broadcaster Jack Edwards during Tuesday’s game between Tampa and the Boston Bruins. He’s now turning that negative attention into a positive change for good.
It was midway through the first period on Tuesday when Edwards, the Bruins’ longtime play-by-play announcer, made some targeted comments about the 6-foot-3 winger’s size, while also referencing Maroon’s run of championships with St. Louis and back-to-back titles in Tampa.
NESN’s color commentator, Andy Brickley, also chimed in, which kept Edwards going on Maroon for over 30 seconds.
“[Maroon] is listed at 238 pounds,” the 65-year-old broadcaster said. “That was Day 1 of training camp. I’ve got a feeling he’s had a few more pizzas between then and now. Fasting. Inadvertent fasting for Pat Maroon is like four hours without a meal. But hey, [he’s won] three [Stanley Cups] in a row! Who can argue with his formula?”
The seemingly unprovoked commentary inspired Maroon to get charitable. The 34-year-old took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce that, “in support of those struggling with mental health, bullying and body image,” he had made a $2,000 donation in Edwards’ name to Tampa Bay Thrives, a nonprofit that assists those who struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues.
In support of those struggling with mental health, bullying and body image I am making a 2,000 donation in the name of @realjackedwards to @TampaBayThrives and I encourage @TBLightning and @NHL fans to join me. Donate here: https://t.co/ZEbWHw6Cqv
— Pat Maroon (@patmaroon) November 30, 2022
Well done Patty…. Donating now! https://t.co/4dNTFSbJwA
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) November 30, 2022
Maroon encouraged his followers to make their own donations too. His teammate Steven Stamkos immediately came through to support the player affectionately known as “Big Rig,” and the Tampa Bay Lightning foundation applauded Maroon’s commitment to highlighting the importance of mental well-being.
“Well done Patty,” Stamkos responded to Maroon via Twitter. “Donating now!”
WASHINGTON — Brayden Schenn played his 1,000th regular-season NHL game when he and the St. Louis Blues beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Thursday night.
Older brother Luke played his 1,000th game Oct. 17 with the Nashville Predators. The Schenns are the eighth set of brothers to each reach that milestone and the first to do so in the same season.
“I’ve always said you don’t get there without the help of tons of people,” Brayden said after his team’s morning skate. “Family being one and coaches and players and teammates and people in the organization. Obviously, you have to embrace the day-to-day grind of the ups and downs and just how hard this league is, but, yeah, pretty special that we have best buddies that push each other every day and get to do it in the same year.”
Blues players celebrated the occasion with Schenn shirts and hats with the captain’s No. 10 on them. Father Jeff gave a pregame speech in the locker room after coach Jim Montgomery said, “Schenner and his bro both getting 1,000 games in the same season is a tribute to the great family raised by Jeff and his wife.”
Jeff Schenn said Brayden was his favorite player on the Blues and tied for his favorite overall, of course, with Luke.
“Honored and privileged and very proud to be part of the big day and the big journey that goes along with it,” their dad said. “You see the hard work and the dedication and the bumps and the bruises and everything you guys put into it. … Just so excited and happy to be here and awful proud of him.”
Montgomery said after the win that Jeff Schenn looked very comfortable speaking in front of the group.
“Jeff and his wife, Brayden’s parents, they raised four great kids and two have played 1,000 games in the NHL,” Montgomery said. “His message was well-received, and you could tell by our start that we wanted to play for our captain.”
Dylan Holloway, who scored twice, said because it was Schenn’s 1,000th game, the Blues “wanted this one bad.”
The Capitals acknowledged the milestone with a message on arena videoboards and an announcement during the first period.
Brayden getting to 1,000 comes amid talk ahead of the March 7 trade deadline that teams are interested in acquiring both of them in separate moves. The Blues are on the fringe of the playoff race in the Western Conference, while the Predators are far out of contention.
“The times I’ve gotten traded, I didn’t expect to get traded, so you really never know,” Brayden said, adding he has loved his time with St. Louis. “It’s a business and that just comes with the flows of kind of where we’re positioned, five points out of the playoffs. But it’s the trade deadline, so some people make rumors. … You just take it a day at a time and just focus on your game and play.”
Brayden, 33, has three years left on his contract at an annual salary cap hit of $6.5 million. Luke, 35, has one more season left after this one at $2.75 million.
The Schenn brothers have played together in the NHL before, spending 3½ seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2013 to 2015. Brayden won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019, then Luke back to back with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports11 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway