The Boston Bruins community is mourning the loss of Rick Kuraly, father of returning center Sean Kuraly, who passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, at age 65 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Rick, a Toronto native, was remembered as a man of “quiet strength” and “deep devotion to his family,” leaving behind his three sons—Christopher, Sean, and Nicholas—and his brother, Peter.

The Bruins organization quickly shared their thoughts, posting on X: “The Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Kuraly. Our thoughts are with Sean and the entire Kuraly family during this difficult time.” The wave of grief really showed how close the team is with the Boston fans, capturing that family atmosphere that makes the Bruins special in the NHL.

Rick Kuraly was so much more than just a hockey parent; his legacy reached far and wide. He really made a name for himself at Miami University, shining brightly from 1979 to 1983 with some impressive records. He’s the all-time leading goal scorer for the program with 101 goals, plus he holds records for the most power-play goals at 36 and the most hat tricks with 9. In 2014, he was also inducted into the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame.

He was really dedicated to being the best, both in sports and in his studies. In his senior season, he even got recognized with Academic All-CCHA Honorable Mention honors. It’s pretty clear that Rick had a big impact on Sean’s career. They both took similar routes from Miami University to the world of professional hockey.

As Sean gets ready for the upcoming season, the support from the Bruins community really highlights something important: during tough times, the hockey world feels like one big family.

The Boston Bruins fans are united with him during these tough times

Rick Kuraly was Sean’s father, and his passing is definitely something that’s going to be really tough for the hockey player to handle. However, he’s got a massive group of Boston Bruins fans cheering him on, showing their support. One comment read, “Rip Mr. Kuraly.” A similar comment read, “Oh no 🙁 so sorry for your loss Kurls :(” This fan is really giving Sean a sense of purpose and a way to channel his grief, saying, “Go play your heart out this season for him Sean. We got your back.”

As Sean Kuraly is back with the Boston Bruins on a two-year deal that’s about $1.85 million a season. He’s returning to the team after spending four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played five seasons in Boston before moving on in 2021, and now he’s ready to bring some veteran energy, physicality, and depth to the fourth line as the Bruins start a new chapter with a shifting roster. Fans really understand how hard this must be for him at the moment.

But the Boston Bruins fans will always have his back, as another comment said, “Oh Sean breaks my heart! He was so proud of you.” This comment truly acknowledged the loss, saying, “Deepest sympathy to the Kuraly family.” The Bruins family is really coming together during this tough time, rallying around Sean Kuraly as he honors his father’s lasting influence, both on the ice and in life. During times of deep sorrow, the connection between a team and its city goes beyond just the game, serving as a wellspring of unity and solace for everyone.