This will be a first for Riley Sheahan as the Detroit Red Wings embark on a three-game road trip Thursday at Colorado against the Avalanche.
It’s the club’s annual dads’ trip where the players are joined by their fathers or another significant family member. Sheahan will be accompanied by his dad Mike as he makes the journey for the first time as a Red Wing.
“He’s definitely pumped and I’m excited to have him come,… Sheahan said. “When you can share the experience with someone who means so much to you it means a lot. For him to get to see some of the behind the scenes stuff and different experiences we have it’s definitely pretty cool.…
When it comes to what the fathers will get to experience on the trip, Detroit coach Mike Babcock insists the sky is the limit.
“They do whatever,… Babcock said. “It doesn’t matter to me.
“The most important thing is have a few beers with the coach once you get off the bus and get all the gossip on all the guys.
“I’ll never forget it. The first time we had a dad’s trip and Stevie Yzerman’s dad is standing next to me and he’s standing over there watching and he’s just looked worried what his dad would be telling me.
“They’re a little nervous when their dads are hanging out with the coach. It’s fun.…
For the players, it’s about giving back for all of the times when dad got out of bed without complaint after a late night of work to drive their son to an early-morning practice.
“It’s a great trip for the guys,… Babcock said. “The dads love it. It’s great to be able to perform in front of your dad and give your dad thanks.
“To me all these opportunities in life are because your parents helped you out along the way or else you’d never be here.…
Now that they are NHLers, the players are in position to do something special for their folks and this trip is just one method of achieving that.
"That will be special," Sheahan said. "He is my biggest supporter. Both my parents and my sister mean so much to me and they’ve helped so much.
“I think he’s really excited to kind of meet some of the guys and get to know what happens on the road and get to see the different things, how we prepare for games and stuff like that. It’s going to be pretty cool.…
Although they are playing hockey at its highest level, winning the approval of their parents remains something that matters a lot to the players.
“You want to do well when your dad is here,… Babcock said. “You want your dad to be proud of you and you’re proud of your dad, so you want him proud of you and what you do.
“I always prayed I would have the same kind of relationship with my son as I do with my dad. I do now. It’s a fantastic thing.
“When I think that I get an opportunity to go watch my kids play sports, I get goose bumps. I can’t imagine it being any different for them.…
Howard On Ice Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard (slight groin tear) is back on the ice and slowly progressing toward a return to the lineup.
“Even though it was just spot duty it felt great to be back out there,… Howard said.
“I was out there before on my own with (goalie coach) Jimmy (Bedard) and then came out and did all the goalie drills at the beginning and stayed out for about 30 minutes in practice.
“It was good; I didn’t really feel anything, so we’re just going to continue to push it.…
If all stays on course, Howard hopes to be back in action sometime next week.
“I think we’re right on schedule of where we want to be,… Howard said. “We don’t want to push it too soon but we also don’t want to be out longer than I have to be, so we’re doing everything I think at the right pace.…
He’s targeting Detroit’s Feb. 11 game at Pittsburgh for a return to the lineup.
“Yeah, probably, so hopefully Pittsburgh I’ll be back out there,… Howard said. “That’s what we’re shooting for.
“At first we had Phoenix circled but we thought would probably be just rushing it a little too much and Pitt will allow me a couple more practices to push it.…
As much as it’s about ensuring Howard’s groin has healed, he also needs to regain his conditioning level.
“Yeah, basically just bag myself out there so the legs and lungs are ready to go,… Howard said.
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