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The entire Chicago Blackhawks team attended the funeral Friday of defenseman Kevin Korchinski’s father, Larry, after flying to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from Seattle.
Larry Korchinski, a lawyer and former Saskatoon Blades winger in the early 1980s, died Wednesday, and his funeral service took place at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon. He was 59.
“It’s unimaginable what (he) and his family are going through,” defenseman Connor Murphy said. “We were really fortunate to be with them there yesterday.”
The Hawks flew to Korchinski’s hometown in the morning after their game against the Kraken in Seattle on Thursday and then flew to Chicago.
“It makes guys realize how fortunate we are to play and that when real life hits, nothing else matters but your family,” Nick Foligno said. “It was a good reminder for all of us going to that funeral and being able to support Kevin and his family, (makes) us realize that when a brother hurts, we all hurt.”
Added coach Luke Richardson: “It was a sad day for everybody involved, but I thought it was really great that the schedule permitted us to be there to support Kevin and his family. It’s a tough time.”
The team placed Korchinski, 19, on the nonroster Dec. 9 for a family matter. There is no timeline for his return.
“It’s still obviously fresh for the family and it’s good for him to be there,” Richardson said. “We’re ready to really help him out when he gets back here.”
After practicing at Fifth Third Arena on Saturday without Korchinski, teammates reflected on ways to support him.
“Just that we’re here for him,” Foligno said. “That’s the only thing you can (do is) be present. A lot of times, there’s no real right words to say in a moment like that, but just being there and making the person feel like they’re surrounded with love and comfort.
“We can’t imagine what his family’s going through and just feel so sad for a kid that’s obviously feeling on top of the world and has to deal with that, playing his first NHL year and then losing a loved one and a father, no less. So just pray for him,and we’ll be here for him every step of the way as he goes through this grieving process.”
Added Lukas Reichel: “It’s sad, it’s tough, but we’re here for him. That’s why we have good chemistry as a team and try to help each other out. Especially in that situation, you’ve got to be there for him.”
Said Murphy: “I don’t think there’s words you can say, honestly, to make anything feel better. … We have a close group where everyone gives each other that support and it’s extra special and needed in really trying times.”
Foligno said Korchinski’s tragedy reminded him of when his mother died of cancer in July 2009 at age 47.
“I lost my mom at 21,” Foligno said, “so I know the emotions and you’re already trying to process the league at such a young age, and then you have that happen to you. It’s life.”
He said what helped him during that time was being around the rink.
“The only normalcy you really have is when you come in the room and you’re putting your skates on,” Foligno said. “Everything else outside the rink when that happens is not normal. You go home after a game and you’re used to calling your mom or your dad and you can’t anymore. So those are the hard moments.”
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But “you get picked up off the floor” by teammates, friends and relatives, who give you strength, Foligno said.
“We saw that in the love that we saw in that church yesterday with all of Kevin’s family, we know he’s well looked after in a lot of ways, too, (with) the way the community has surrounded his family,” Foligno said. “So we’re going to help him get through this.”
Foligno said such circumstances draw players closer because it shows who’s “in the trenches” with you.
“The hockey player is second, the human is first,” he said. “And Korch is such a great kid who has such a great career ahead of him and in life ahead of them. You hate to see him go through something like this, him and his family. And we’re praying for him and just sending him a lot of love.”
Meanwhile, the Hawks recalled defenseman Wyatt Kaiser from Rockford and placed Seth Jones (left shoulder) on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 10.
Jarred Tinordi (concussion) has been on IR retroactive to Dec. 5, and Alex Vlasic (soreness) will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s home matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.