As we remember that fateful day 17 short years ago today, there is one man that we all know has an even more personal connection to those events.
As we relive many of the stories from September 11th, 2001, those in the hockey community will always be reminded of former Los Angeles Kings, Director of Pro Scouting, and former player, Ace Bailey and Kings scout Mark Bavis, who were aboard United Airlines Flight 175 bound for LA from Boston. The second plane to hit the Twin Towers on that awful Tuesday morning in our great Country's history.
Wild head coach, Bruce Boudreau, then the head coach of the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester, NH, was scheduled to be aboard that flight as well.
Andy Murray, Kings head coach at the time told Boudreau and his staff to move their flights up a day as he wanted them in LA for a coaches dinner.
So as we all watched in horror to what was unfolding in front of us on TVs all across the Nation, just imagine what was going through Bruce Boudreau's mind as not only did he lose one of his closest friends but the questions that must have crossed his mind a million times then and still do to this day.
The Athletic's Dan Myers has the full story of the events that led to Boudreau altering his travel plans:
https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/boudreau-sept-11-feature/c-300043194
As we remember the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, today and always. We are forever humbled by the selfless acts of heroism and those that paid the ultimate price.
Never Forget!!!