Scott Delaney, son of Elva and Craig Delaney of Stephenville Crossing, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma back in 2011.
Scott was 14 years old at the time. There was upheaval in the Delaney family for a number of years. Scott’s mom admits the whole ordeal still creeps back into her mind from time to time even though her son has been in remission for almost two years.
Scott, now 17 and free of chemotherapy treatments since October, provides energy and gusto on the left side for the Dennis GM Western Kings in the Newfoundland and Labrador Major Midget Hockey League.
His mom admits her son, by nature, shows very little emotion about anything. It was no different when the doctor gave him the diagnosis on Canada Day three years ago.
“All he said to the doctor was ‘when can I play hockey again?’” she said. “He never cried. He never got upset.
“He’s very strong and I think that’s what helped us get through it,” she said as her voice cracked.
Scott doesn’t like to talk about that stage of his life. He’s only interested in forgetting about it and doing what he loves to do.
The stocky forward is a slick skater. He’s tenacious on the puck. He shows no signs of somebody who has been through what would be deemed a tumultuous time in any young person’s life.
Shooting pucks and crashing the net, as one of the Kings, that’s where his mind rests easily.
“I’ve been playing a good bit and getting a fair chance so I’m happy to be playing again,” he said Tuesday.
Getting first place is something the Kings have clearly on their minds. He just wants to play a role on a team that he believes can beat some quality opponents with its strengths.
“We have to use our speed really good and use the systems we’ve been taught,” he said.
His focus is clearly on keeping on the plus side of the equation every shift he gets.
“I just try to limit the amount of mistakes and not get scored on mostly, and try to set up the players who can score,” he said.
Mom is certainly relieved. She’s in a better place with her boy healthy again.
“I guess when you’re going through it, you’re like when somebody dies, you’re in a fog. You just go through the emotions and do it,” she said.
“It will never go away. It’s always in the back of your mi