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It was an emotional Patrick Sharp who stood in the dressing room of the Chicago Blackhawks' practice facility and spoke of the toll that rumors on the Internet have taken on him and his family.
"It’s been tough," Sharp said Sunday at Johnny's IceHouse West. "As a hockey player, as a professional, you’re out there and you’re up for grabs for on-ice play. I’m OK with that. Trade rumors, talk about my play on the ice — I’m fine with that, I can handle that. But when people delve into your personal life and make up rumors and things that are completely false and untrue, it takes a toll on you. And it takes a toll on your family, your friends, and it’s completely unnecessary. It’s been tough, but I know I’ve got a strong group of teammates here, we’re going to stick together.”
The rumors have ranged from infidelity to rifts with teammates and have spread like wildfire on social media and the Internet. One Web site listed numerous alleged incidents. Sharp said he is considering legal action to stop the spread of the rumors.
“You hear things said about people all the time, it’s like anybody can type something on a computer and get away with it and not be held responsible or accountable,” Sharp said.
The veteran admitted that the rumors have affected his play on the ice. The 33-year-old winger has not scored a goal in the last 15 games.
“It all goes hand in hand,” Sharp said. “If you’re feeling good, that translates on the ice. Looking at specifically hockey, I’ve been injured this year, battled back, had some tough stretches and had some good stretches. But I’m feeling good about the way I’m playing, I know I’m on a good line, have good teammates with me and things are going to break through.”
Before Sharp spoke, teammate Brent Seabrook addressed the media to discuss rumors of a divided dressing room.
“Being a leader on this team, I think this team’s never been tighter,” Seabrook said. “We’ve never been a tighter group. Some of the rumors that have been said, I think are laughable. You know, there’s nothing going on in this locker room. I’ve been here 10 years and nothing’s been going on, so we’re a tight group. We’ve got everybody’s back here and we’re focused on our jobs, which is getting into the Stanley Cup playoffs, first and foremost, and winning another championship.”
Copyright © 2015, Chicago Tribune
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