Lightning assistant Fleming out of hospital; receives joy, comfort from players

When Lightning assistant coach Wayne Fleming returned home from the hospital, he had a surprise waiting: a reclining medical chair sent by Tampa Bay's players and a card filled with personal messages of encouragement.

Fleming, in Calgary being treated for brain cancer, had spent several weeks in the hospital. Assistant coach Dan Lacroix said his homecoming was described in a text message from Fleming's wife, Carolyn, as "the best medicine."

"Carolyn … was so happy the guys sent the card," Lacroix said Saturday. "It was very touching, and it was emotional."

The chair is built for comfort and designed to make it easier for Fleming to get in and out.

"It's so hard for everybody," D Pavel Kubina said. "He's still a big part of this team. We know he is fighting."

And he is watching Lightning games on TV — now in a comfy chair — though GM Steve Yzerman has said Fleming generally has stopped sending text messages and emails with in-game observations. "But he sounds pretty good on the phone," Lacroix said. "He went home, and he's with his kid and grandkids. The whole family is there. It's like home for the holidays."