Marco Scandella’s father dies of prostate cancer

Watch as Toronto Maple Leafs forward P. A. Parenteau seems to embellish a hit from Minnesota Wild defenceman Marco Scandella.

Minnesota Wild defenceman Marco Scandella‘s father has passed away after battling with prostate cancer.

Scandella had left the team briefly back in November to be by his ailing father Francesco’s side in Montreal.

Marco returned to the Wild a few days later having said goodbye.

“My dad doesn’t have much time left, so I’m really happy that the organization let me go back home to see him and say goodbye to him,” Scandella, who missed two games, told the Star Tribune at the time. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. Family’s going to miss him, and I’m just happy to have great teammates and it’s great to be back with everybody and be back and be busy and be playing with this team.”

He scored the game-tying goal against the Dallas Stars in his return on Nov. 14.

Scandella was drafted by Minnesota 55th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft and has developed into a key piece of the Wild blue-line, averaging 20:03 minutes of ice time a game, fifth most on the team.

He has three goals and three assists in 17 games this season.

The 25-year-old won a silver medal with the Canadian World Junior team in 2010.

The Wild’s next game is Saturday night when they host the Colorado Avalanche.

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