NHL Draft pick's sobbing grandpa will melt your heart (Video)
BUFFALO, NY – With the 10th pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Colorado Avalanche selected Tyson Jost, a center with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.
The scene that followed was unforgettable.
Jost embraced his grandfather, who sobbed heavily as he hugged the draftee. It had been a long journey for both of them, as Jost's grandparents made a huge change in their own lives to help their grandson live out his hockey dream.
In his early teens, Jost had a chance to attend the Pursuit of Excellence school in Kelowna, B.C. His mother had raised him herself, with the help of other family members. But he would have to leaver her and his home to attend the school.
Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News explained how his grandparents stepped up to help jis hockey career:
Laura’s parents were already thinking of retirement plans and Laura’s brother lived in Kelowna. So Tyson’s grandparents moved out to Kelowna with him, so that he could play for the program. Often, grandparents are a soft touch, but that’s not how the Josts roll. Laura considers herself “old school” as a parent and she got that from her upbringing. Her parents encouraged her in all pursuits, but hard work was expected and no meant no. Tyson found that out in Kelowna.
“My grandpa was tough on me,” he said. “But it was a good tough. You have to work for everything; nothing is handed to you in life.”
He put up 109 points in just 33 games with Penticton, and his journey to being an NHL lottery pick was underway.
As his grandfather continued weeping, Jost went over and hugged his mother.
“My mom is so special to me. She's a single mom and she raised me all by herself, and to share that moment with her up in the stands there is something I'll never forget and just giving her a hug, it was pretty special. It was kind of my thanks back to her just for all the hard work and sacrifice she gave me and my sister,” said Jost.
“I'm going to remember it for a long time.”
No doubt so will hockey fans, as Jost and his family gave us the perfect image of the sacrifices families make for their young athlete’s future, and that athlete’s appreciation for them.
--
Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY
