Boeser overcome by emotion after being asked about sick father, walks out of press conference

During the session, Postmedia sports writer and Vancouver Sun and The Hockey News contributor Ben Kuzma asked a question about the struggles of Brock Boeser's father, Duke Boeser and how Duke's health status may have impacted Boeser's season, making it more challenging. Boeser's response to the question was absolutely heartbreaking.

At first, Boeser tried his best to shield his emotions and tough it out to answer the question, but quickly became overcome with the emotional agony that comes with watching a loved one slowly withering away in the worst way possible. Teammate Quinn Hughes tried to do the honourable thing and asked the media to move onto the next question, but Boeser was still doing his best to answer, despite being so distraught. He would eventually have to depart the session to collect himself.

Kuzma is taking some heat on social media right now as a result of the question, as Duke is one of the most important people in the world to Brock. Boeser's dad has been battling lung cancer, recovering from a heart attack, and now suffers from Parkinson's Disease and dementia.

As someone who has watched his own father suffer two strokes, dementia and a fatal heart attack, I can absolutely empathize with Boeser and how emotional he was over the question and the thoughts that entered his mind as a result. Absolutely heartbreaking stuff.

Good on Hughes for standing up for his teammate and trying to redirect the attention from Boeser's personal life back to the season and to try to navigate away from some of the stressors and triggers. Pro hockey players spend a significant amount of time away from the closest people in their lives while they're on the road all season. As a result, families are often a soft spot for them - especially when they're unwell.

Thoughts and prayers to the entire Boeser family. It's truly a sad and unfortunate situation that they're dealing with and they certainly didn't need the extra attention and the media bringing Duke's health into the session.