Most people who decide to tattoo their bodies do it because they believe in the symbolic meaning of it.

For Minnesota Wild defenceman Matthew Dumba, his first piece of ink is dedicated to a friend of his whom he lost to suicide. 

Back when Dumba was patrolling the blueline for the Red Deer Rebels, he befriended a boy named Kale Williams, who's stepfather worked for the organization.

Williams and Dumba along with Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Haydn Fleury all formed a special bond of friendship. 

Tragically, Williams ended his life at age 17 when Dumba and Fleury were a year older. 

Speaking with Dan Rosen of NHL.com, Dumba explained that his tattoo honouring his late friend is an everyday reminder the impact mental illness can have on someone suffering. 

"It's pretty emotional. I don't think I've ever talked about it, really, but it's a memorial piece for him."

Unable to play hockey, Williams still was an honouray member of the team due to a a neuromuscular disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It attacked his nerves and chewed away at his limbs, causing severe foot issues. 

"He started coming to our games, coming to our parties," Fleury said. "He was the life of our team parties. He was a really cool, really charismatic kid."

On the tattoo features a skill with an Afro and a pick since Williams liked to grow it out. A Jesus piece around the neck of the skull highlighted Dumba and William's desire to rap together. 

"A lot of cultures use a sugar skull for a celebration, like they grieve through the celebration of that person's life," Dumba said. "That's why I put it there. He was always the happiest kid ever. You see him dancing. Really funny. Witty kid."

A lion is also featured close by with the word "courage" written on it. 

"It's about having the courage to talk to those you might think are going through some tough times. Bravery. Stand up. Be there for whoever needs you."

Fleury decided to get four cards and two dice on his arm with Williams's initials inscribed. 

"I'm always thinking of him," Fleury said. "This game can produce some hard times, but if you keep it in perspective, you realize it's just a game and there are bigger things out there. When it comes to something like that, experiencing it at such a young age, 16, it was really hard. That puts life into perspective. As much as hockey is a passion and a love, at the end of the day it's really just a game, and there are a lot of things people can go through in their lives. Things can be a lot tougher than a bad game or a bad day at the rink."

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