Sports Illustrated- Ottawa Senators assistant coach Mark Reeds has died after a battle with cancer, the team announced Tuesday. He was 55.
Reeds had been an assistant with the Senators since 2011. The team first announced he had cancer last year. His cancer was diagnosed as inoperable last month and he was recently hospitalized with pneumonia. "It is with very heavy hearts that all of us within the Senators family remember Mark who was truly a wonderful father, husband, player, coach and friend," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. "Mark’s charismatic fighting spirit was present right until the end. We are all better for having had the opportunity to work so closely with Mark whose passion for life, hockey and his family will leave an indelible mark on our organization. The entire Ottawa Senators organization sends its deepest condolences to the Reeds family." There's always one. Look at the passing of Marty St. Louis' mother last year, or the passing of Dominic Moore's wife. What else could explain the Rangers impressive run that was just three victories short of a Stanley Cup? Certainly wasn't talent or a winning pedigree. I don't want to trivialize the death of Ottawa Senators assistant coach Mark Reeds. Cancer proving, once again, just how horrific of a disease that it is. However, if his death was imminent, then it certainly was timely. Talk about motivation for the cinderella Ottawa Senators who are already coming into the playoffs as the hottest team in the league. I don't know if any of these narratives have a distinct affect on the players' effort or the outcome of playoff games, but they certainly don't hurt. Sometimes it sure feels like there are other forces at work. Tragedy definitely brings people together. A hockey locker room, unlike any other, is one predicated on a family atmosphere. You have no choice but to give it your all, and then some, when not only the most prestigious trophy in the sport is on the line, but also the honor of a fallen coach, friend, and family member. I don't know what is going to happen in the NHL playoffs. The beauty of the sport is in the parity of the sport. I am just saying I wouldn't be surprised to see a team that has been playing playoff hockey for months succeed when the stakes are at their highest. They have the right mindset, a hot goaltender, and the narrative for their Stanley Cup Championship video already in place. What else do you need come playoff time? R.I.P. Mark Reeds
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