"I cried for a whole day," the Flyers defenseman said.

He recalled his days growing up in the Czech town of Ceske Budejovic, where his father, Jaroslav, worked at a pub but always found time to take his son to hockey practice.

"Lots of people get affected by this," Modry said. "You take every day as a blessing."

The Los Angeles Kings twice gave him a brief leave of absence to return overseas and be with his father. He was last there in November.

"I went back and tried to support him and be there for him the way he was for me," Modry said.

His father underwent radiation and chemotherapy for a tumor in his large intestine, but the cancer spread and is now inoperable.

"It's going to be one of those things," Modry said. "He will battle it with the will. For how long . . . at this stage, they can't do anything about it. He has to live with the pain and how strong he is.

"They will eventually do more radiation to stop the process. It's tough. It's tough. It's hard for him and all the people around him."

This week, the writers who cover the Kings nominated Modry for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, even though he now plays for the Flyers. For the first time in Flyers history, the team has two nominees - Modry and Jim Dowd.

The award is given annually to a player who demonstrates perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Modry tutored young Kings defenseman Jack Johnson, which is a big reason the Los Angeles chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominated Modry - even after his trade to the Flyers last month.

"I have been helped in the past from many people," Modry said. "Just being a great example, playing with them, you learn every day through preparation the way they approach every game. I learned from them, and I want to pass it on to young kids, show them the respect for the game."

Modry said the only time he does not think about his father is when he is on the ice.

"You go out there with teammates and go through the game," he said. "You are with your teammates and try to accomplish something special. Your mind drifts away because you are concentrating on something else."

But never for long.

Loose pucks

- Tim Panaccio