NHL journeyman Jordan Leopold was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Minnesota Wild on Monday. His 11-year-old daughter may have helped orchestrate the deal.
A member of Leopold family shared a hand-written letter with KFAN that Leopold’s daughter Jordyn wrote to the Wild during their losing streak in January. Parts of it were downright heartbreaking. Leopold, a Minnesota native, has chosen not to uproot his family since he has changed teams so many times throughout his career. This has apparently taken its toll on Jordyn, who just wants her dad to be able to work close to home.
“We are living in Minnesota right now and I am lost without my dad and so is my mom, my 2 sisters and my brother,” Jordyn wrote. “My dad is on a team with young guys and is very (lonely) and is not playing because the Jackets got him because they needed a D-man. It has been since November and we cannot take it anymore.”
Jordyn then pleaded with the Wild to “please, please, please ask the Jackets if you guys can get him.” Minnesota acquired Leopold for Justin Falk and a fifth-round pick just as the trade deadline was about to pass. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen implied that the letter played a role in the decision.
It isn't always just about business…
pic.twitter.com/uVDV3K2Nky””
— Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen) March 2, 2015
We have seen kids send some adorable letters to players and teams in the past, but this one might top the list. Sometimes we forget how tough it must be for kids of athletes to have their parents traveling all the time. We’re glad it worked out for the Leopold family.
