I want to share a story about my favorite player

[MR.M's Cards]

I became a Bobby Ryan fan during his time playing for my home town Owen Sound Attack. He was great with the fans and especially the kids, in particular my kids and that is what made him special to us. He was so down to earth, especially with everything he had gone through, which wasnt public knowledge at the time. He actually staid up here for a summer instead of going home and played in our local softball league which is story I love repeating.

My best friend in the world lives across the road from me, probably about 30 steps away. He was never a big hockey fan but through me became an Attack fan, and by extension a Bobby Ryan fan. We used to share seasons tickets together and attend all the home games. We have also travelled to Toronto, Buffalo and Detroit to watch Bobby play. My friends nick name is Buzz and that is how I am going to refer to him throughout the rest of the story.

4 years ago Buzz was told he needed a new liver and was put on the transplant list. This resulted in a change of life style for Buzz as well as various hospital stays. Last August he finally got the call and was sent to London for the procedure. It was reported that all went well and he would spend 6 weeks in the hospital recouping. He returned home and it was like he had a fresh start, things were great. We attended a Leafs/Sens game in Toronto in January and had a blast.

In February we were to attend another leafs/sens game but unfortunately Buzz had to cancel at the last moment. He had been in and out of the hospital for what I assumed were routine follow up tests. However, he informed me that when they did the transplant they found cancer in the old liver. It had now spread to his lymp nodes, and there was nothing they could do and recommended palliative care. One of the worst conversations I have had to sit through in my entire life.

Fast forward a couple of months and Buzz is still here fighting the fight. He has his good days and his bad. This past Saturday he informed me that he had received a unexpected phone call from Idaho. It turns out that a mutual friend of ours got in touch with the head of marketing for the attack. He in turn, reached out to Mike Futa of the LA Kings who was GM of the attack during Bobby Ryan's days here. Futa then reached out to Bobby Ryan, who in turn took the time to call Buzz and have a chat with him

This occurred on Sat May 27th. So bobby was in pittsburgh being eliminated from the playoffs at midnight on he 25th.....back to ottawa for exit meetings and locker clean out on the 26th......then finally home to his wife and daughter in Idaho on the 27th and he takes the time to make a phone call to someone he doesnt know just to help make their situation just a little better. I didnt ask Buzz what they talked about, I hope some day he feels like sharing but at the same time it is none of my concern. He did tell me Bobby told him that he can call or text him any time he wants to talk.

This isnt my story to share, and I debated about posting or not. But at the end of the day it was something I did want to post. This is why Bobby Ryan is my kids and mine's favorite player. This one selfless act made my pal's day. With so much focus put on a players performance on the ice I wanted to share some of the good that happens off the ice, something we dont hear about every day. 3 days after learning of the phone call I am still full of happy emotion knowing what was done for my friend!!!!! So this is my little shout out to Bobby Ryan, truly a class act human being.

[Wookster]

Thanks for sharing this story and best of luck going forward for your friend. I'm rooting for him. I've always liked Bobby Ryan as a player and this really shows what a good guy he is. Again...thanks for sharing your story and I hope everything turns our for you and your friend.

[creasecollector]

What a great story of a great gesture from Bobby. Thank you for sharing this. Hoping the best for Buzz.

[Rain]

Great story. Thanks for sharing

[walker066]

That is a great story. Best of luck to Buzz. I once had Mariano Rivera come to my house and we talked life and some sports. Highlight of my life (even though I'm a Red Sox fan)

[cardscardscards]

What class! Bobby is not just a great hockey player, he's also a great human being with a very moving story. With all the hardships he's gone through, he could have easily given up and turned into a very different man. I feel very proud to have him on my team. :)

[doniceage]

It always nice when players take the time to do little things like this. Many players do little things like this but usually all we hear about are the times they acted like a ™™™™™™™ and not the little things that can make someone day a life changing event. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to your friend in his fight.



DON