Preds Fathers Trip is Experience Unlike Any Other

The very first NHL jersey Doug Sissons recalls his son wearing when he was growing up in North Vancouver, British Columbia, was that of the franchise based in Nashville.
Little did he know...
Fast forward a few years later, and Doug's son Colton now sports that logo for a living. Doug is just one member of the expanded traveling party on the annual Nashville Predators Fathers Trip, making stops in Philadelphia and New Jersey as the Preds face the two Eastern Conference opponents.

It's the first of such trips for Doug, with his son finding a full-time spot at the NHL level this season. And both wouldn't mind sharing the experience again next year.

"This has been better than I would have ever anticipated," Doug said. "Seeing all the other fathers that have all gone through what we all have to get our kids to 'The Show,' let's say it, and they're just really awesome people. It just boggles my mind that my son has ever made the NHL, period."
"I think it's just such a cool new experience for him," Colton said of his dad. "He's had a huge influence on me all the way though my life in hockey and off the ice, so just to see him to be able to enjoy this side of things is pretty cool for me, too."
James Neal's father, Peter, is more of a veteran when it comes to the Fathers Trip, having done a couple when James played in Pittsburgh and now three in Nashville. And it never gets old.
"As everybody knows, when it comes to hockey careers, they go quick," Peter said. "So it's good to get out and see the rinks and meet everybody. You always enjoy seeing what goes on behind the doors, so to speak."

James is the oldest of four hockey-playing brothers, so his father has spent plenty of time in an ice rink over the years. The hours have been well worth the reward.
"Growing up, he was obviously a huge influence and my hockey career and just as a kid," James said. "My mom as well, just the sacrifices they had to make and how hard to have to work to be able to live out a dream to play hockey and buy us all that equipment and do what they did to get us everywhere… so it's special to have him here."
Most players and coaches do have a guest with them on the trip, but for Head Coach Peter Laviolette, it's a family affair. Mr. Laviolette has joined his son on the trip as usual, but Coach Laviolette also has his two sons, Peter and Jack, along as well.
For a group with a schedule like the Laviolette family, any time spent together is cherished, and an experience like this is priceless.

"Probably three weeks ago, my dad offered up his spot so that my boys could come," Coach Laviolette said. "They had gotten home right before we left to come on this trip, and I don't get to see them much when they're in prep school in New Hampshire. So [we] just made the decision to see if I could take my dad's trip and turn it into a family trip.
"It's great to have them here. You don't get to see your kids that much because they're in one part of the country and you're in another, and especially at a young age like they are, it's difficult. So to be able to share this experience with not only my dad, but my two boys as well, really makes it exciting for me. I'm happy they could all be part of it."
The fathers and sons will eventually return to their respective parts of the world once the trip concludes and the holiday season winds down, but the memories made will be recalled for years to come. Perhaps some of the current Preds will be on the other side one day, kind of like former NHLer Carey Wilson is with his son, Colin.
It suddenly makes waking up at 5 a.m. to drive to hockey practice seem completely worth it. And that first hockey jersey may have just a bit more meaning one day.

"Sometimes you have to pinch yourself a little bit," Colton said. "The experiences like this just keep you humble and remind you of where you came from. just your hockey roots, going to the rink with you dad, having him on the bench behind you as a kid. It's really cool, and we're pretty lucky to have a good organization that puts on a show for the dads like we do here at the Preds."
"I just like that he's really humble and honest and never takes a day off," Doug said of his son. "He just works hard every day of his life and appreciates everything, every opportunity that he's given by the Predators. And the Predators are just a class organization, if you ask me."