Don McPeak – USA TODAY Sports
Before his team’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night, Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle delivered a touching tribute to an eight-year-old who was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings last Monday. During warm-ups, Yandle wore a jersey with Martin Richard’s name on the top and the number eight on the bottom. It was the latest tribute for Yandle, who has strong ties to the Boston area and also had the words “pray for Boston” on his glove and skate for Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.
In the same week that saw some very emotional scenes as Boston sports returned, tributes like Yandle’s have started picking up as well. This was a great and classy move by a veteran player, and did a great job in honoring one of the victims of a horrible tragedy.
The Coyotes also managed to get two huge points, as they prevailed in a shootout. Mike Smith made 36 saves in his return to action following a groin injury, and Rotislav Klesla and Radim Vrbata scored goals in regulation. Mikkel Boedker and David Schlemko buried their shootout attempts to help secure the win, and assure the Coyotes at least a few more days of not being officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Regardless of what the final score was at the end of the night, it was nice to see a player like Yandle take the time to show his support for a still-grieving family. Yandle may only be 26, but he often thinks and plays like someone much older. His entire six-season career has spent with the Coyotes, and this season he is third on the team in scoring behind Boedker and captain Shane Doan. If Doan ever leaves the Coyotes, Yandle would make an ideal choice as the team’s next captain.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
