A career on pause, a cross-country drive at the height of a national emergency, and the loss of a beloved teammate.

Though it may feel as though a lifetime has passed, this has been the difficult reality for Edmonton Oilers prospect and native Staten Islander Joe Gambardella over the course of the last two months.

The Monsignor Farrell product was in the midst of wrapping up his fourth professional hockey season for the club’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, when the hockey world, and the rest of the world along with it, came to a screeching halt.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, both the NHL and AHL suspended its seasons, but the worst was yet to come.

Eight weeks later, there’s still no hockey — and for Gambardella and his teammates, who are grieving the loss of one of their beloved comrades, there’s been little relief.

HEADING HOME

Within a week of the suspension of the season, the majority of the Condors had returned home, and Gambardella was no different.

However, his return trip was.

The Eltingville resident, accompanied by his fiance’, embarked on the nearly 3,000-mile drive from Bakersfield, California to Staten Island at the height of the pandemic, which took them three days.

“All the other states still seemed regular, we were picking up supplies on the way home,” pointed out Gambardella. “But when we got home, the city was shut down.

“The first thing I noticed was there was no traffic on a Sunday afternoon,” he added. “Something’s really going on, there were no cars on the road.”

The world had tossed the promising 26-year-old forward a curveball, and he was about to be dealt yet another.

A FALLEN TEAMMATE

Colby Cave, an energetic forward who had spent time in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and the Oilers, was one of the most beloved teammates among the Condors.

Gambardella, who had his first taste of NHL action in 2019, played 44 games alongside Cave in the AHL this season — and the duo sat fifth and seventh, respectively, among the team’s points leaders.

Last month, Cave passed away due to complications stemming from a cyst on his brain — he was only 25-years-old.

“Caver,” said Gambardella solemnly. “Rest In Peace to an unbelievable guy, an incredible hockey player, but he was an even greater person away from the rink.

“He showed a great attitude in practice everyday, he was a role model for the younger guys,” he added. “You could talk to him about anything, he was a good friend to have…it’s a tragedy, he’s gone way too soon.”

In an ideal world, Gambardella would welcome the comfort of his teammates, coaches, and a return to the ice — but in the days of the pandemic, there is little room for grief, and even fewer outlets to exorcise it.

“You have your teammates and coaches to grieve with, but with quarantine, you don’t really have access to that,” explained Gambardella.

“It’s hitting guys in the heart, and that hurts…not being able to grieve,” he added.

Though coaches have made themselves available through virtual communications, it’s still an arduous ordeal for all involved.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to play, to grieve at practice, and just be around together,” said Gambardella.

“Losing anybody in life is a tragedy, you need people around you to grieve,” he added.

STAYING READY

Though he admits the league has offered no insight as to a possible return to play, Gambardella is nevertheless staying ready as best he can.

His daily routine kicks off with a morning workout, followed by some cardio, before helping his future brother-in-law with his online schooling.

Aside from that, he is grocery shopping for his elderly grandmother, and delivering meals to her Brooklyn home.

As for hockey, there’s been none.

“Unfortunately, no rinks are open,” Gambardella acknowledged. “There’s no availability, everything is shut down.

“I’m able to work out, that’s about it,” he added. “I haven’t been on the ice, I’m trying to be a good citizen and follow the guidelines.”

However, he’s managed to stay connected to the hockey landscape, or at least the virtual one.

Gambardella has teamed up with fellow pro hockey player Ryan Swain in an effort to give back to medical workers on New York and New Jersey’s front lines.

The #FrontlineHockeyChallenge, started by the duo on Instagram through Swain’s Hockey Skills and Development program, encourages young players to post practice videos with the hashtag and a minimum $10 donation.

The challenge has raised over $500 to date, which will be used to deliver food to Staten Island University Hospital and New Jersey Medical Center.

“We’re trying to make good,” said Gambardella. “We appreciate the frontline workers and it’s a good way to keep the kids motivated.

“When life comes back to normal, appreciate it instead of taking things for granted,” he added. “Stay safe and wake up with the attitude that nothing is for granted…tell your loved ones you love them.”

You can keep up with the Instagram challenge, or donate, through Gambardella’s personal account (@Stride_2_Greatness) or Swain’s (@SwainsHockeySkills).