Oren Koules Is Awesome
Long time no post, eh? ;) On Sunday I spent the day watching movies with my husband, and yesterday it felt like I didn't even get a minute to breathe because we're working hard to meet deadlines this week to get ready for shutdown next week. (I'm really sorry about that - I wouldn't have skipped posting on Sunday if I'd known how crazy Monday was going to be.) Anyhoo, I've been thinking about what the Tampa Bay Lightning did on Saturday at the draft and thought it was cool enough to mention here on The Show.
In the seventh round, the Lightning selected 18 year old defenseman from the University of Denver named David Carle, who was attending the college on a hockey scholarship and is the younger brother of Matt Carle of the San Jose Sharks. Big whoop, right? Wrong. It turns out that during the pre-draft physical examinations, doctors found out that Carle has a potentially fatal heart condition (from College Hockey News):
It's a bittersweet ending to a career that never had a chance to get started.
In the seventh round, the Lightning selected 18 year old defenseman from the University of Denver named David Carle, who was attending the college on a hockey scholarship and is the younger brother of Matt Carle of the San Jose Sharks. Big whoop, right? Wrong. It turns out that during the pre-draft physical examinations, doctors found out that Carle has a potentially fatal heart condition (from College Hockey News):
Denver recruit David Carle has retired from competitive hockey after doctors discovered a heart abnormality. The condition, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — or thickening of the heart — can cause sudden cardiac death if there is too much exertion.Because of the severity of the disease, he withdrew his name for consideration once the diagnosis was confirmed. But that's when this happened (from The Denver Post):
[...]
Carle got an EKG at the NHL's scouting combine, which is where an abnormality was first detected. He went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for more tests.
Carle said a nurse was the first to inform him that the news wasn't good. "...I just lost it and had a good cry. ...The doctor came in, and I was pretty shell-shocked at first. After a few hours passed, you can step back and evaluate it, and move forward.
"I'm really quite fortunate they were able to find it. I've still got a long life ahead of me. I have a lot to look forward to and a lot of opportunities ahead of me."
On Saturday, however, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Carle in the seventh round (203rd overall).It's only symbolic, since even slight physical exertion could lead to sudden cardiac death. But what a gesture! This kid's entire life changed through no fault of his own, and Koules used the draft to pay tribute to Carle's lifetime of commitment to the game of hockey. Carle still plans to attend the University of Denver, and Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky told Carle that, despite the fact that he now cannot play on the team, his scholarship would be honored.
Incoming Lightning owner Oren Koules pushed for the team to select Carle.
"The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL, and I didn't see a reason he shouldn't be," Koules said on the club's website.
It's a bittersweet ending to a career that never had a chance to get started.
Labels: David Carle, draft, lightning
posted by snoopyjode at 8:07 AM
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18 Comments in The Friends' Zone:
Jodie, thanks for the touching story. That's pretty classy by Tampa.
I thought it was awesome of the Tampa Bay owners to do that.
Aside from that though, the league is gonna have a crazy time with those new Tampa owners. I was reading in yesterday's Toronto Star and apparently they called different GMs and made deals with them and then their GM had to sort through them all. The article is here if any one wants to read it:
http://www.thestar.com/article/447310
"The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL, and I didn't see a reason he shouldn't be,"
wow, that's awesome
classy, respect
Just another shining example of the true gentlemen that make up the National Hockey League!
Ok, now all my co-workers think I'm a nut case cause I'm blubbering. (oh wait, they knew I was a nut case before...nevermind...)
What a great story and a classy thing to do. It's also wonderful that his college scholarship will be honored as well.
Just when you think it's all about money and stats and winning....*sniff, sniff* :)
Great story! I got goose bumps and a little misty-eyed reading it. I'm a sucker for those feel good stories! :) My day just got a bunch better....thanks!!
Thanks for sharing this Jodie.
What an amazing gesture.
It's great to see that some people don't lose touch with their hearts.
Awesome story--good on Koules. Incredible thing to do.
What a bittersweet situation.
That is really a nice thing to do. And very nice that his scholarship will be honoured also!
It's extremely unfortunate that such a great career was cut short before it really got a chance to start. Very classy move by Tampa Bay!!!
That shows how classy and respectful the National Hockey League is and how Tampa Bay is. The poor kid had his dreams crushed at a time where they are supposed to be fufilled. God Bless him.
You Stay Classy Tampa!
It's bittersweet, but better than the alternative. Is it just me or has this been a bad year for this kind of thing?(Zednik, then Renaud, then Bourdon, now Carle?)
Poor kid. Tampa Bay and the University of Denver = classier than anyone.
I just read about this in the newspaper. David Carle lives in my city, and I know his cousin. That's pretty sad, he's pretty good too. I'm glad that Tampa Bay did that, David must feel really special. I wish him the best
Bless his heart. That was a very touching story.
It's unfortunate that his career is cut short. On the flip side, I'm glad they caught the problem in time. I've heard of way too many seemingly healthy athletes just suddenly dropping dead because they didn't catch things like this. I hope he continues with a long and healthy life.
That's a really great gesture. Given that players at that level of pick hardly ever get to the NHL anyway, it's not like the Lightning was giving anything up by doing that, but that doesn't take away from the thoughtfulness of the move. Those owners may have shown themselves to be crazy in other dealings, but on this they absolutely nailed it.
On a totally different, random note, Carle's hair color and even texture are crazy-similar to my brother's. That particular shade of red is so rare - the only other person I've seen with it was a Ukrainian trampolinist in the 2000 Olympics!
This is why I love hockey so much. There is so much class...fighting aside :)
Reality is it was a stupid move by Tampa. They threw away a draft pick.
You dont win by wasting assets - even if they are not very significant assets.
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