NHL careers start with their families investing their time, money, and energy taking their young son to hockey practice from a young age.
Sometimes it’s more than one child they’re taking to the rink and to some of the Nashville Predators having their fathers be there along for the ride means everything.
This week the players get quality time with their fathers as the Predators host the Vancouver Canucks then go to Philadelphia for a game on Thursday evening.
The Predators were the so-to-speak pioneers for this kind of trip back in the first season of the franchise. Head coach Andrew Brunette was part of that initial experience.
“We were the first to do it and it was really cool,” Brunette said. “We were in New York City and looked around. My dad was in awe of the amount of food there is and how much food is wasted. That’s what makes it cool how we live at this level and get a glimpse of everything that goes on.”
Predators Show Love to Their Dads
“It’s always special to bring your dad alongside for your day-to-day,” defenseman Jeremy Lauzon said. “He sacrificed a lot for me and my brothers and sister when we were younger. He drove us to the rink every Tuesday, Thursday, and weekend. It was only hockey, we were three boys playing hockey and every winter we had a little ice sheet in the backyard.”
Lauzon said his dad never played hockey. He’s “all brains” as Lauzon put it being a doctor back home.
Then being raised in British Columbia defenseman Dante Fabbro expressed his gratitude for his father.
“With all he’s done and all that he’s sacrificed for myself and my sisters to get to where we’re at today he’s played a vital role for where we’re at,” Fabbro said.
Fabbro is excited to have his dad in town and along for the ride to be celebrated as a key member of his life that led him to become a professional hockey player.
Goaltender Kevin Lankinen’s dad has been to Nashville before to see some games and now gets a chance to see behind the scenes what it’s like.
“They love it here it’s a totally different atmosphere and different from Finland,” Lankinen said. “Really excited to be here and it’s a great thing that the organization takes care of and wanted to set this up. Really thankful for that.”
Juuse Saros has seen his father come to Nashville for the father’s trip but this year it’ll look a little different for his family back home.
“Big part of why I’m here right now so that’s huge. My dad is not going to be here this week because my brother just had his first baby a few days ago and [my dad] didn’t want to miss that,” Saros said. “My dad has been on a few of these trips and he’s always enjoyed them.”
For the first time forward Luke Evangelista will have his opportunity to bring his dad in being a full-time NHLer with the Predators. Last season Evangelista was still with the Milwaukee Admirals.
“I think everyone in this room could say they wouldn’t be in the position they’re in without their dad or their parents,” Evangelista said. “All the sacrifices, the financial contributions when you’re growing up because it’s not cheap to play hockey. We have a lot to be thankful for and I know my dad is going to be fired up to have a behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on here.
Veteran defenseman Luke Schenn opened up about what his dad meant to his household being a place where two current NHLers were raised.
Schenn started by saying he and his brother Brayden wouldn’t be in the NHL without their dad. The duo has played over 2,000 games counting both regular and postseason play.
“He coached us growing up and we had a backyard rink. We were out there all the time with him,” Schenn said. “Still to this day going through good times, you pick up the phone and call and when you’re struggling he’s the first call. He understands us both as players better than anyone else would.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Nashville Predators
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