Growing up, we imagine a large number of hockey players first learned how to skate, shoot and stickhandle on an outdoor hockey rink.
If that's not the case, though, it's probably fair to say that almost every hockey player has played on an outdoor rink, whether it be with friends or in the NHL.
Monday, the Blue and Blackhawks continue the outdoor game tradition as the Winter Classic is underway from Busch Stadium, and many players get to live out a dream of playing outside in front of thousands of fans at the highest level of hockey.
Unfortunately not every player gets that opportunity. Take Roberto Luongo, for example.
When he was with the Canucks and the city of Vancouver hosted the Heritage Classic at BC Place, head coach John Tortorella chose to start Eddie Lack in the outdoor game instead of him, which ultimately led his departure.
Now, back to Monday, ahead of the Winter Classic, Luongo seemingly took a shot at Tortorella and that whole situation in 2014 with this tweet.
Luongo could be talking about the weather, which could cause a major problem in St. Louis with rain in the forecast, but Tortorella's decision to not start him was a lot more of an unforeseen circumstance.
What was foreseen after the Heritage Classic, though, was Luongo's departure. Just days after the game, he was traded to Florida and he's flourished in the 'Sunshine State' ever since.
It still feels wrong nearly three years later, however, that Luongo didn't get to play in that game after giving so much to the Vancouver franchise. Hopefully the NHL fits Florida into an outdoor game before Lu retires so he can live out his dream.
For now, though, this apology from Lack (he has nothing to apologize for) will be enough to make us a little happier about the whole thing.
(H/T: Roberto Luongo)
