SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose Sharks center Dominic Moore says he missed playoff games this postseason because his wife has a rare form of liver cancer.
Moore, 31, issued a statement Tuesday through the Sharks to explain his absence from San Jose's final two playoff games in April against St. Louis.
"There have been a lot of questions and concerns raised since it was revealed that I had to miss several games of the Sharks/Blues playoff series due to a family matter and I wanted to update extended family, friends, and former teammates on our situation," he said.
He says his wife, Katie, was diagnosed with the disease late in the season. She underwent surgery in California in April and Moore missed the final two games against the Blues with the team's permission.
He says Katie is still being treated and offered no further details.
"While it was disappointing to not be able to compete with my Sharks teammates in the playoffs, my wife's condition and care come first and I want to thank the Sharks organization, my teammates and their families for the love and support that has been shown to Katie and I during this difficult time," Moore said.
Moore was acquired in February from the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2012 second-round pick and had no goals and six assists in 23 games.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.