No one needs to tell Brandon Saad that there are more important things in life than hockey. For the past few years, the Columbus Blue Jackets forward has watched as his relatives left war-torn Syria to make a safer life for themselves in the United States.



“It’s definitely an eye-opener with them coming over and getting adjusted to the lifestyle and the new language and things like that,” he tells the Guardian. “It definitely puts things in perspective for you.”

Saad traces his Syrian roots through his father, George, who was born in Syria and came to the United States at 18. He speaks glowingly of the way his father’s hard work has served as an inspiration. George received two degrees from Columbia and the University of Pittsburgh, became a US citizen, and settled in Pittsburgh, where Saad was born. But many of George’s brothers and sisters were left behind in Syria, which descended into a civil war in 2011.

The US branch of the Saads feared for the safety of their relatives back in Syria as the country descended into one of the largest humanitarian crisis in recent memory, and they started the process of moving as many family members as possible to the United States.

“Most of them are over here now and the ones that aren’t here yet they’re safe back home,” says Saad. “So really no issues there, everything’s been good with that so that’s always good to hear.”

Saad’s uncles and aunts now live in Pittsburgh near his family, which has made the transition easier. Saad says his father has been help them settle in, relying on his experiences from the time he was a newly arrived immigrant.

Saad – with the money that comes with an NHL career – has been able to help out on the financial side by sponsoring some of his relatives. Saad, whose maternal grandfather was an NFL official, grew up playing hockey and football before he made a career on the ice. After two Stanley Cups in four years with the Chicago Blackhawks, he was traded to the Blue Jackets, who rewarded him with a six-year contract worth $36m.

“You try to help out as much as you can. My dad has worked hard to be successful so he can help them as well. But any way I can help I’m always here for them,” Saad says. “They know that. I’ve gotten pretty close with them over the short period of time.”

His Syrian family’s arrival has also been an opportunity for Saad to expose them to hockey, a sport they didn’t know much about. It’s been a bonding experience, as Saad had not met any of his relatives in person, and only got to know them over Skype.

“They’ve become huge fans of the sport and love watching me play,” he says. “It’s pretty funny to interact and kind of see them see things for the first time. They’ve definitely all taken an interest in it because of me.”

Following the Paris terrorist attacks last November, the Syrian refugee crisis became a political football as figures such as Donald Trump urged a halt to the immigration process. However, it’s not a debate Saad is willing to wade into. “You hear about it,” he says. “For the most part, it is what it is and I just focus on playing hockey and hopefully the family’s safely here through my dad. That’s pretty much all you care about and all you can control.

Saad has only taken one trip to Syria, when he was a young child but he hopes that some day, when there is peace, he can make the journey as an adult. “It’s a beautiful country and I’d love to go back and see where my dad is from,” Saad says. “So I think that would be a great trip.”