Very few things inspire me in my day-to-day life like sports and athletes can, and Oskar Lindblom is the prime example of that. Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at the young age of 23, Lindblom seemingly took this battle in stride and never lost his positive energy. In fact, every time we saw Oskar after the diagnosis he was all smiles and still wanted to be in close contact with the team.

One thing that will always stick with me was the overwhelming support from the Flyers and the NHL as a whole. When Robert Hagg heard of the news you can tell it was effecting him, you could see the pain in his face as he tried to come up with the words to describe his emotions. The Flyers from top-to-bottom handled it all with such class; I always knew they were a first-class organization but the way they supported Lindblom was nothing short of beautiful.

Lindblom rang the bell at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania over the summer of 2020 and was able to make it in the playoff bubble to suit up for a playoff game within the same season. When Lindblom returned, both the Flyers and Islanders benches gave him stick taps and it was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

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In training camp on Friday we were made aware that Oskar Lindblom went in for a scan and still remains cancer-free, amazing news leading to this genuine moment after practice.

👏 Flyers Oskar Lindblom remains cancer free after his latest scan pic.twitter.com/XBk3jUQE1d

— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) September 24, 2021

According to Alain Vigneault, Lindblom’s conditioning test results are back to where they were in his first year of coaching Lindblom pre-diagnosis and the word out of camp is that he might just be returning to form. Lindblom is apparently back to the gritty style of play that made him so successful in the past, with digging into the corners and blue paint. Incredible news to hear out of camp after a bit of an understandably down year last season.

Oskar Lindblom’s physical testing results are back to where they were in 2019 camp, per AV. It’s been obvious on the ice, too.

— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 25, 2021

If Lindblom can get back to what he was doing in early 2019, such as leading the team in goals and driving play that would be a huge piece for this club. As of now Oskar is slated to play on a line with Derick Brassard and Cam Atkinson in tonight’s preseason game and maybe the foreseeable future. It’s clear the Flyers are confident that he is essentially at 100% otherwise I don’t think they would put him with two new additions, he’s here to be the play-driver we know he can be.

Through it all, Oskar Lindblom is one of the most inspiring stories I’ve seen in sports and in general. The ability to go through all those hardships during a pandemic and never once lose the smile that Vigneault spoke glowingly about will always motivate and inspire me.

I can’t wait to watch Oskar Lindblom and the Flyers tonight.

Mandatory Credit: AP