Leafs defenseman suffers a tragic loss just over a week before training camp is set to open
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this summer has largely been about revamping, fine-tuning and preparing for a chance at redemption after a disappointing end to their 2022-23 Playoff run. However, for one member of the team, it was also about supporting his father, who had been battling cancer. Some sad news to report on that front as Jay Brodie, father of Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie, has succumbed to his fight with cancer earlier this week.
The Brodie family is holding a visitation later today in Chatham, Ontario, with an official celebration of life event to take place at some point in the not too distant future.
Suffering a loss, even one that is expected, comes with tremendous sadness and grief. Being an NHL player doesn't make you immune to feeling that pain and anguish and as someone who lost his father at a similar age, I completely empathize with Brodie and what he must be going through right now.
His obituary painted Jay as a man who held his family close to his heart, an accomplished athlete and an avid farmer who enjoyed farming his own crops. Mr. Brodie had also been inducted into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Brodie was a member of the Chatham Thames Valley Brick major midget AA team back in the late 70's. He won an Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship with the team back in 1977-78.
The Leafs are expected to kick off training camp one week from today and, as of this moment, Brodie's attendance for the start of camp remains in question. It wouldn't be surprising to see the team grant him a personal leave of absence during this difficult time, so he can be around family as they grieve together and mourn the loss of their father, husband and grandfather.
We'd like to extend our deepest condolences to the entire Brodie family. We'll be keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 138 ANSWERS Leafs defenseman suffers a tragic loss just over a week before training camp is set to open Will Brodie still attend Leafs training camp after the loss of his father this week? | ||
| Yes, I believe he will | 69 | 50 % |
| No, and he should take the time he needs | 69 | 50 % |
| List of polls | ||
