Taylor Raddysh to Miss Two Games Following Father’s Passing
A Time for Mourning
New York Rangers forward Taylor Raddysh will sit out the next two games to attend the funeral of his father, Dwayne Raddysh, who passed away on Tuesday after battling pancreatic cancer at the age of 64. Losing a loved one is never easy, and Raddysh has openly acknowledged the profound impact his father had on his life and career.
Dwayne’s Battle with Cancer
Dwayne Raddysh was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, receiving a prognosis of four to six months to live. Throughout his life, he served as an immense source of support for both Taylor and his brother, Darren, who plays defense for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a heartfelt interview with Mollie Walker in December, Taylor shared:
"He’s meant everything to me and my brother. He’s led us to where we are today."
Impactful Moments in Hockey
The bond between Taylor and his father was evident in countless ways. Dwayne, despite not having played hockey himself, fueled his sons’ passion for the sport. He worked long hours, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dedicated his evenings to driving them to practices—highlighting his commitment to their dreams. Taylor elaborated:
"Him and my mom have done it all. It hasn’t been easy."
Team Support
After a recent victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raddysh received the Broadway Hat from teammate Adam Fox, who recognized the emotional toll recent days had taken on him. During the presentation, Raddysh expressed gratitude to his teammates:
"Obviously the last couple of days have not been easy for me and my family, but I just want to thank you guys for all the help… I know my dad’s proud of that one tonight."
Rangers’ Recent Performance
As the Rangers prepare to move forward without Raddysh, they are also focused on improving their special teams performance. Following a tough loss to the New Jersey Devils, head coach Mike Sullivan lamented the team’s struggles:
"I thought we lost a lot of juice with our special teams — both the power play and the penalty kill."
The Rangers have faced challenges, allowing three goals on the penalty kill, landing them with a 21st ranked penalty kill at 78% effectiveness this season. Additionally, they were unable to capitalize on any of their four power play opportunities. Sullivan stated:
"… A big part of the game is momentum, and we didn’t get any juice from our special teams today. For me, that was the difference."
Roster Moves and Upcoming Games
In light of Raddysh’s absence, the Rangers have recalled forward Brendan Brisson from the Wolf Pack. Additionally, new acquisition Tye Kartye, who was claimed off waivers last month, earned his first point as a Ranger with an assist on Vladislav Gavrikov’s goal last Saturday.
With these developments, the Rangers are looking to regroup as they prepare for the upcoming challenges without one of their key players.
For more updates on the New York Rangers, visit the official NHL website and stay tuned for further developments on Raddysh’s return and the team’s performance.
