Before their matchup with the New York Islanders on Saturday, Ottawa Senators forward Parker Kelly hosted C.J. Selock,, a youth hockey player for the Long Island Royals, at their practice on Friday.
Before their matchup with the New York Islanders on Saturday, Ottawa Senators forward Parker Kelly hosted C.J. Selock,, a youth hockey player for the Long Island Royals, at their practice on Friday.
Kelly, 24, has been diagnosed with alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss.
With Selock facing the same condition, the Senators forward made time to discuss life with alopecia and how to make the most of the difficult circumstances.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Kelly said in a video posted by the Ottawa Senators on X. "It's just hair, man. It doesn't define who we are."
Kelly has gone on record on his history with the disease, most recently in an interview with "The Athletic" in 2023. In an interview with TSN1200 radio, he said "I am fine with it. Its now part of who I am."
Selock also had the opportunity to meet Long Island-native Shane Pinto and Senators captain Brady Tkachuk;
The Islanders and Senators face off at UBS Arena Saturday at 12:30.