TORONTO | Roberto Luongo did not grow up in a very wealthy family. Her parents Antonio and Pasqualina worked hard to make ends meet in a few months.
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They often had to make great sacrifices to enable their three children to play hockey. Three more guards.
“I was thinking of my parents when I got the call Roberto Luongo mentioned. I wouldn’t be here without her. You made many sacrifices when I was young.
“We were three guys who played hockey. It wasn’t easy for her. They sacrificed their time, but also their money.
A good decision
Luongo first put on skates at the age of 8. He made his debut on offense, but the lure of the pads kicked in pretty quickly.
“I wanted to be a goalkeeper, but my parents didn’t want it at first,” said the man, who now lives in Florida. I also played soccer.
“When I was 12 I had to make a choice because I couldn’t do both at the same time. I think I made the right choice.
“I loved both sports, but ice hockey was my passion.”
Around 40 members of Luongo’s family are expected to attend the former goalkeeper’s induction ceremony.
regret
Looking back on his career, Luongo has some regrets, like the Canucks’ loss to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals.
“I don’t regret how I played, but how I reacted psychologically. Sometimes I took people’s criticisms too much to heart.
“I wish I had been more mature back then. I was hard on myself.
“If I played badly, I took that with me to the next game. Those are things you learn when you get older.”