Well, it hasn't been an annual event but the Oilers did do it during the 2015-16 season. It was a blast and I didn't even have my dad on the trip but Drake Caggiula did.
"He enjoyed it," said Drake of his father Sal. "He had the chance to meet all the other dads. I think the biggest thing was the chance to sit in our meetings minus the playing part. I know he had a lot of fun."
Imagine getting a chance to go watch your son 'work' and it involves traveling around like an NHL player. One of the dads, Brian Benning, knows exactly how that feels. He played 568 NHL games and put up 296 points but Matt Benning's dad retired in 1995.
"It was cool for me," said Matt. "He got to experience all of this as a player but things have changed since he called it quits."
While this is a 'dad's trip' it doesn't always mean it's all dad's on the trip. Zack Kassian, for example, the last time around brought his brother on the trip. Milan Lucic brought his father-in-law on the team get away. For Ty Rattie, this trip is his first with Edmonton but his dad Rob has been on one before when Ty was playing with Carolina.
"We actually went to Washington and Columbus," explained Rattie. "It was absolutely unreal. It was one of my best hockey moments. Your dad does so much for you. Coaching, driving and he helped me get this far. He was being a nerdy hockey dad and I expect him to be the exact same way this trip."
This trip is set up for the dads and sons to make their way to Dallas on Sunday for a game Monday night. A late night post-game flight to St. Louis. A practice day for the boys on Tuesday. It's followed by a game Wednesday against St. Louis. Then it's time to head for home. The thing about the trip is it's all about time. As in time spent together.
"Parents(dads) are a big part of your upbringing," explained Caggiula. " It's nice to be able to spend a little bit of time together. See what we do and just make it a fun trip."
There is only one player on the team, Matt Benning, who has his father in the same city.
"I know we're in the same place but it's still tough to get together," explained the blueliner. "With my schedule and his we actually don't get to see each other a lot so it's nice to just be able to hang out together."
Really that is what's it all about whether you're on a trip together or whether you're just sitting at home. This is really a special opportunity.
"I just remember the dads having such a great time," said Benning. "It was just nice to have them around."
I'm sure the dads felt the exact same way last time and will feel the same this time on the next Father's Trip.
