Joel Edmundson To Step Away From Montreal Canadiens

According to Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, Joel Edmundson will be stepping away from the team indefinitely. Edmundson's father is currently battling lung cancer and not doing well.

Joel Edmundson will be away from the Canadiens for an indeterminate amount of time. Bergevin said he was extremely shook up by his father not doing well in his battle with lung cancer. "I gave him a hug," he said, adding he told Edmundson "family comes first."
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 20, 2021

The Canadiens have had a lot of difficulty heading into the start of the season. Captain Shea Weber is expected to be out for the season and may never play again. Goaltender Carey Price is also currently in the NHL's player assistance program. With those two notable absences, the Canadiens have started the year with a 0-4-0 record. Edmundson also has been out with an undisclosed injury and did not participate in training camp.

It's entirely understandable that Edmundson is going to take some time away from the sport and focus on his family. Like Bergevin stated in his press conference, "family comes first."

All hockey fans should be sending their best wishes to Joel's father and the rest of the Edmundson family.