Roberto Luongo showed why he’s such a great ambassador for the game of hockey.
The former Vancouver Canucks goalie took to the ice before the Florida Panthers game against the Washington Capitals, the Panthers first home game since last week’s school shooting.
Luongo took to the ice with a microphone and a single spotlight on him and spoke from the heart for three minutes.
An emotional Roberto Luongo addresses the home crowd prior to tonight's game, saying he is inspired by how the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas have responded after the school shooting last Wednesday. #MSDStrong #NHL #FlaPanthers #OneTerritory pic.twitter.com/KV1ERJvr7l
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) February 23, 2018
“I just want to start off by saying that I live in Parkland, I’ve been living there for the last 12 years,” he explained. “My wife was born and raised in that area, my kids go to school in Parkland and when I’m done playing hockey I want to spend the rest of my life in Parkland.”
“I love that city.”
Luongo, who was on the road in Vancouver when last week’s shooting took place, expressed how difficult it was to be so far away while this happened in his community.
“No child should ever have to go through that, it’s terrible, it’s time for us as a community to take action,” he said. “It’s enough. Enough is enough, we gotta take action.”
The 38-year-old continued on, clearly fighting back tears, to address the families of the victims, saying that the entire community is thinking about them and there for them.
He went on to call the teacher’s of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School heroes for protecting their children and said “they need to be put on a pedestal for the rest of their lives.”
Hero’s Welcome.#guncontrol #Parkland pic.twitter.com/NHto6MO73A
— Pia Guerra (@PiaGuerra) February 15, 2018
Finally, he addressed the students that have been voicing their concerns and making a stand since last week’s tragic events.
“I’m very, very proud of you guys,” said Luongo. “You guys are brave, you guys are an inspiration to all of us, and at the end of the day, you guys are what’s giving us hope for the future.”
With that, Luongo handed over the mic and as the crowd and players from both teams applauded his words.
Luongo and the Panthers delivered on the ice, beating the Capitals 3-2, keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive.
