NHL star Erik Karlsson and his wife have broken their silence after the devastating loss of their first child, who died just a moment before his due date.
Karlsson, the captain of the Ottawa Senators, posted a picture of his son’s footprints on Instagram, revealing that he and wife Melinda had named their child Axel.
‘At this extremely difficult time, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we know one day we’ll get there,’ the couple wrote in a statement posted on Twitter and Instagram.
‘We would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received and also for respecting our privacy and the process we need to go through now.’
NHL star Erik Karlsson and his wife Melinda (pictured in January) have broken their silence after the devastating loss of their first child, who died just a moment before his due date
Karlsson, the captain of the Ottawa Senators, posted a picture of his son’s footprints on Instagram, revealing that he and Melinda had named their child Axel
The couple also posted a statement on Twitter, saying they felt ‘very lucky to be Axel’s parents’
‘We feel very lucky to be Axel’s parents. Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances.’
‘The joy he gave us will be with us forever.’
Karlsson, 27, was scratched from the lineup of Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers as the team revealed the couple’s heartbreaking loss.
‘The collective thoughts and prayers of the Ottawa Senators organization, the city of Ottawa and entire hockey community rest with Erik and Melinda Karlsson following the loss of their son,’ the team said in a statement to the New York Post.
‘We ask that you respect the family’s wishes for privacy during the grieving process.’
One young fan showed her support after the news of his loss was announced on Tuesday
The couple had been very excited to welcome their new addition, and posted a number of touching Instagram posts in anticipation
The baby boy would have been Karlsson’s first child with Melinda, his second wife, who he married in August.
The couple had been very excited to welcome their new addition, and posted a number of touching Instagram posts in anticipation.
In November, Karlsson posted a photo of his wife holding up an ultrasound scan of his son, with the caption: ‘The most exciting news we have ever received arrived earlier this year.
‘Can’t wait to meet you.’
In January, the NHL star enthused about how he and his wife couldn’t wait to start ‘our new chapter in life’
In January, the NHL star enthused about how he and his wife couldn’t wait to start ‘our new chapter in life’.
Last month, he shared a photo of himself and Melinda, beaming at the camera, with his hand resting on her pregnant stomach.
‘Just me and my little family,’ he wrote.
Axel was due to be born mid-April.
Since the sad news was announced, there has been an outpouring of grief and condolences on Twitter for the couple.
Erik Karlsson, (left) captain of the Ottawa Senators, pictured with a teammate, playing against the New Jersey Devils on February 16, 2017
The LA Kings tweeted that the team was ‘thinking of Erik Karlsson and his family during this time’.
‘Today is a day to remember that there are way more important things in life and hockey is just a game!!’ added retired NHL star Marc Savard.
Karlsson, now in his ninth NHL season, has won two James Norris Memorial Trophy awards for the NHL’s best defenseman on the Senator’s backline.
He also has eight goals and 48 assists for the Senators.
Karlsson, 27, now in his ninth NHL season, has won two James Norris Memorial Trophy awards for the NHL’s best defenseman on the Senator’s backline (pictured playing at Amalie Arena, Florida, on March 13)