Vancouver netminder Jacob Markstrom has issued a heartbreaking Instagram post in which he mourns the death of his father after a battle with cancer. Based on the message itself, it appears his father had been fighting the terrible disease for at least six months.
"Dad you have taught me everything I know, I couldn’t ask for a better dad, friend and role model! I know you will always look down on us! The strength you have shown the last 6 months is unbelievable! I love you and Rest In Peace. F*** Cancer," Markstrom wrote.
In mid-October, Markstrom had been granted a short leave of absence from the Canucks. While a reason was never officially given, it's a safe bet that it had something to do with his father's cancer, and likely his death. It is interesting to note that Markstrom is Swedish and Sunday, when the post was made, was Father's Day in Sweden.
Despite the fact that Vancouver lost, Markstrom had an excellent performance in Sunday's game, stopping 25 of 27 shots he faced and recording a .926 save percentage.