Lightning creating special memories by bringing siblings on road trip

PITTSBURGH — Lightning ahead Cam Atkinson is in his 14th NHL season, and as his profession has progressed he’s realized the significance of soaking in each second he can.

At age 35, he has seen loads. However this week marks a primary for him because the Lightning for the primary time are bringing gamers’ siblings on the highway with them.

That the transient two-game journey stops in Columbus, the place Atkinson performed the primary decade of his profession with the Blue Jackets and which stays his offseason residence, marks a novel alternative for him. He’ll have all 4 of this brothers at Thursday’s recreation.

“It’s type of a full circle kind of factor,” Atkinson stated. “I’ve by no means had a siblings journey. It’s been fathers journeys for probably the most half, and even moms journeys. Truly, all 4 of my brothers have by no means been in Columbus with me at one time, so this would be the first time.

“We’re all going to be at my home for a pair nights and go to a few dinners. It’s thrilling, and so they understand how particular Columbus is for me and my household, and so they’ve been part of it since Day 1. So I’m wanting ahead to it.”

Atkinson, the third of 5 brothers, had his youthful brother Brett with him in Pittsburgh for the primary cease of the journey. Older brothers Steve and Tommy, in addition to youngest brother Scotty, had been to fulfill him Wednesday in Columbus.

Atkinson has been out and in of the Lightning lineup — Tuesday’s time beyond regulation win over the Penguins was the third straight recreation he was a wholesome scratch — however he might play Thursday. The provision of middle Nick Paul, who left within the second interval Tuesday with an undisclosed harm, might play a job. Regardless, having all of his brothers round will probably be particular for Atkinson.

“You don’t take nowadays as a right,” he stated. “You cherish these moments and these reminiscences, and they’re core reminiscences actually. You attempt to have your siblings see what it’s like within the day for us, how we type of go about our enterprise on a apply day and a recreation day, and the way we journey and stuff like that. … You simply attempt to cherish these moments and embrace it and simply attempt to get pleasure from each second.”

The Lightning took 19 siblings of gamers on the journey, plus 16 relations of coaches and employees. They attended Tuesday’s morning skate in Pittsburgh, posed for photographs on the ice at PPG Paints Enviornment, then watched the comeback win over the Penguins from the membership degree.

Ahead Jake Guentzel, who spent the primary eight seasons of his profession with the Penguins and have become an enormous fan favourite, had his older brother, Ryan, with him. Guentzel’s different brother, Gabe, lately took a job in St. Petersburg and has relocated to the bay space. Ryan lived with Jake early on throughout his time in Pittsburgh.

“It’s big to have them right here,” Guentzel stated. “We wouldn’t be right here with out them, so for them to type of see the behind the scenes, it’s clearly a cool expertise for them. Had a dad’s journey earlier than, by no means had a siblings journey, so it’ll be enjoyable to type of acknowledge them and have them round.”

Even ahead Gage Goncalves, who rejoined the group Tuesday after being recalled from AHL Syracuse, was capable of get his sister on the journey. It is going to be her first time seeing him play professionally.

Coach Jon Cooper stated having the siblings alongside offers the journey a special really feel and might present added motivation.

“While you coach lengthy sufficient (by way of) 82 video games, the video games can generally turn into a routine, and generally you need to take a step again and respect what league you’re teaching in and the way lengthy you’ve been doing it,” Cooper stated. “And it’s journeys like this that provide you with that, ‘Wow, these are instances when you need to get pleasure from what you’re doing a bit extra as an alternative of getting caught up within the every day routine.

“And that’s why I like these journeys, since you’re with a complete bunch of individuals that really respect what’s occurring and are simply in awe wanting round at, whether or not it’s Nikita Kucherov or Victor Hedman or Ryan McDonough. For me, I take a step again and assume, ‘Wow, we’re fairly lucky to be within the scenario we’re in.’ And also you type of suck a few of that power from them, so it’s fairly cool.”

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