Dallas Stars must part with Joel L’Esperance for refusing vaccine

The Dallas Stars need to protect the organization by cutting Joel L’Esperance. 

Articles and social media posts from hockey journalists that discuss L’Esperance’s vaccine refusal fail to say what really needs to be said. We have reached a point where dismissing science or banging the “personal freedoms” drum is too dangerous. COVID-19 is very real, very contagious, and extremely deadly to many who walk among us.

Joel L’Esperance explained his vaccine refusal to the media at Stars camp on Thursday.

"“My wife and I just thought that where we are as a family right now, we weren’t quite comfortable with getting the vaccine at this point…Not anti-vax, it’s just something as a family, we decided that we’re a little uncomfortable with some of the potential things that could happen with the vaccine at this point. That’s our decision.”"

One can read the above comments and conclude he is refusing the vaccine due to fertility concerns. Such concerns are foolish as there is not an ounce of evidence that suggests the COVID vaccine results in infertility.

The decision being made by Joel L’Esperance is extremely dangerous for society. Such decision by so many is why it will continue to be difficult to get a grip on the virus.

Medical data continues to show transmissions of the virus are the highest among those not vaccinated. The same data also suggests there is no better way to prevent disease caused by virus than vaccines.

The above Tweet presents a valid point in that L’Esperance is extremely unlikely to make the Dallas Stars roster. Once more, is it worth while for the Stars to send the forward to AHL-Texas?

Joel L’Esperance is not eligible to cross the border and play games in Canada without the vaccine. One can also assume teams will be forced to implement additional COVID protocols due to unvaccinated players. There is also the looming risk of seasons being completely derailed should the virus spread within an organization.

The Dallas Stars understand better than most what COVID infections can do to an NHL season. Spread of the virus among several players and staff caused a delay to the start of Stars 2020-21 season. Such delay resulted in the Stars having to sacrifice days off for makeup contests in an already-crammed schedule.

I respect Joel L’Esperance‘s choice in refusing the vaccine, but only because the country we live in affords it. That said, I find L’Esperance’s excuse of “family reasons” to be a very poor cop out. The Michigan native might be buying into the conspiracy theories that surround the virus and vaccine. Another thought is L’Esperance is taking a stand against the Federal Government.

Whatever the real reason, Joel L’Esperance’s vaccine refusal is irresponsible, inconsiderate, and already causing a distraction.

L’Esperance spent a majority of the 2020-21 season as a member of the Stars taxi squad. He has 5 goals over 33 NHL games played over his career. –J.G.