Jordan Staal, the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team, announced that his infant daughter has died.
He said the cause was a terminal birth defect, ESPN reported.
In the statement, the Staal family said that it was “a longer road than most people know” and that they “prayed for a miracle.” The girl, Hannah, however, was stillborn.
The family said they are “very thankful for our short time with her.”
They added: “My wife and I have been absolutely amazed by the support we’ve received from our friends, family, and the whole hockey community. We just wanted to say thank you,” USA Today reported.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Hurricanes organization are with Jordan and Heather Staal on the loss of their infant daughter, Hannah. We ask that you please respect their family’s privacy at this time,” a statement from the Hurricanes said, according to ESPN. The team added that he’s away from the team after the death.
General manager Ron Francis and head coach Bill Peters said they would give Staal as much time as he needs before he returns, WRAL reported. “Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with Jordan, Heather [Staal’s wife] and family,” Peters said Monday. “That’s reality, right. That’s the real world. It puts everything in perspective.”
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