Hockey world reacts to Boston Marathon tragedy

Hockey fans around North America were tracking the progress of Patrick Burke, the founder of the player equality “You Can Play” campaign, as he competed in the 2013 Boston Marathon. The son of former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, he was using the race as a way to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

We all have our entry points for a story of tragedy, and many hockey fans immediately thought of Burke after multiple explosions went off around the finish line of the race on Monday afternoon. Police confirmed that two people were dead and over 20 were injured after the blast.

Burke took to social media to let his followers know that he wasn’t affected by the blast, and offered concern for those that were.

Previously, Burke sent out a tongue-in-cheek message about his running in the Marathon that’s flat out eerie in context:

Dylan McIlrath, a New York Rangers prospect who skates for the Connecticut Whale, was at the Marathon when the explosions went off:

Winnipeg Free Press writer Gary Lawless reports that a vice president for True North, which owns the Winnipeg Jets, was close to the blast:

Here’s Analeena Rosa, who ran in the Marathon and lists her self as an “NHL girlfriend.”

The hockey world also reacted to the incident. Here’s Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders:

Here’s Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins:

And here’s Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference:

We'll update with more hockey-related runners and observers as we get them. No word on the Bruins' game against the Ottawa Senators tonight quite yet.