Emotional Avalanche defenseman's tribute to late mother leaves fans speechless
Photo credit: Sergei Belski / USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Avalanche veteran defenseman Josh Manson delivered a deeply heartfelt and emotional tribute to his late mother, a message that has left fans across the hockey world both speechless and profoundly moved.
Manson pays respect to his mother two years after she lost her battle with cancer.
Josh Manson honours his late mother with emotional tribute.
Jon Alfano from Breakway On Si writes that Manson believes that even when our loved ones pass on, their memories live with us forever.
At 33 years old, Manson took to The Players' Tribune to share a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Lana, who passed away in 2023 following a nearly nine-year battle with melanoma, first diagnosed in 2014. Despite her strength and courage throughout the fight, her loss was no less devastating.
"I can still picture her, and most importantly, hear her, belting out Shania, or Miley, or J.Lo. She'd dance around our garage and if you weren't singing at the start of her performance, she'd make sure you were at the top of your lungs by the end of it. She was so much fun. She made everyone feel welcome, and loved. And at home. She felt like home. And she made our house a special place." -Manson
Manson fondly recalled that his mother's work ethic was "second to none." With his father, Dave, busy with his own NHL career, the responsibility of raising Josh and his three siblings. She embraced the challenge without hesitation, consistently taking charge and setting an example that helped shape Manson into the person he is today.
The 11-year NHL veteran also reflected on how meaningful it was to have his mother by his side for the crowning moment of his career, winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
"I have this photo from down on the ice after we won the Cup in 2022. I'm still in my Avs gear, and I'm with my family. My mom is holding my daughter, and that moment it just means everything to me. To see the smile on my mom's face, to have her granddaughter in her arms, that's what she cared about the most. Family. I remember after the final whistle, and we all rushed the ice, I looked up to the crowd and saw my parents, my in-laws, my wife, my sister - and their faces will be etched in my mind forever.
"To me, that moment was possible because of all the donations, all the fundraising people do for cancer research. That's the real life outcome right there. That's why there's galas and 10ks and rides for the cure and all sorts of incredible initiatives. It all matters. You can buy time. We all can." -Manson
"To me, that moment was possible because of all the donations, all the fundraising people do for cancer research. That's the real life outcome right there. That's why there's galas and 10ks and rides for the cure and all sorts of incredible initiatives. It all matters. You can buy time. We all can." -Manson
As Manson enters his 12th NHL season, and his fifth with the Avalanche, he continues to carry his mother's memory with him every step of the journey.
"If seeing my mom fight cancer has taught me one thing, it's this: We are all stronger than we could ever possibly know." -Manson
Her strength lives on in every shift he takes.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 31 ANSWERS Emotional Avalanche defenseman's tribute to late mother leaves fans speechless Can Josh Manson channel his mother's memory into a standout season with the Avalanche? | ||
| yes | 26 | 83.9 % |
| no | 5 | 16.1 % |
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