All images courtesy of Bob Hague
A mid-November Vegas Golden Knights’ fathers journey made for one more treasured shared hockey expertise for Bob and Nicolas Hague.
The dads of the Golden Knights joined their sons on a week-long highway journey, which included video games in Anaheim, the place the fathers went whale watching forward of a recreation in opposition to the Geese, and Salt Lake Metropolis, the place they visited Utah Olympic Park and did some bobsledding.
“It was a unique one for me as a result of Nic was injured, so I truly obtained to spend extra time with him than I often do,” mentioned Bob. “However I obtained to see what it is like with how the crew helps the gamers get again from damage, which was attention-grabbing to me.”
That was solely one in every of many takeaways for the daddy of the 26-year-old defenceman.
Bob, who calls Kitchener, Ontario, house alongside together with his spouse, Sheila, had the possibility to meet up with some hometown locals with Tim Pearson, father of Vegas ahead Tanner Pearson, and Darryl Schell, uncle of Golden Knights ahead Cole Schwindt.
“I do know Cole’s uncle from the golf course, and I knew his dad, Jason. … Nic and Tanner went by means of the Kitchener minor hockey system at a unique time. Cole and Nic performed junior hockey in Mississauga.
“We had a enjoyable time with the Kitchener guys and there may be that nice picture of the again of us three with our names on the sweaters.”
Nic, at the moment in his sixth NHL season, all with Vegas, is proud to see his hometown have sturdy illustration on the Pacific Division membership.
“It is humorous that this yr, we now have three guys from Kitchener now. I’ve recognized Tanner for a very long time, and I performed junior hockey with Cole. It is humorous the way it all works out – a small world. It is undoubtedly cool.”
The connection to the southwestern Ontario metropolis of simply over 593,000 individuals prompted a welcome stroll down reminiscence lane for these on the fathers’ journey.
“It is unimaginable when you consider the gamers who’ve come by means of right here,” mentioned Bob. “[Winnipeg Jets forward] Mark Scheifele, [Jets defenceman] Logan Stanley performed in Waterloo – Nic and Logan grew up enjoying spring hockey collectively – and naturally, [Hockey Hall of Fame inductee] Scott Stevens, might be essentially the most well-known man from right here.”
“I really feel like Kitchener is constant to develop by way of its hockey and the gamers who come out of there,” mentioned Nic. “It’s a nice hockey metropolis. I’ve a ton of fond recollections rising up and enjoying there.”
And never simply the minor hockey scene.
Nic and his associates made good use of town’s arenas, ponds and yard rinks.
Nicolas Hague enjoying minor hockey in Kitchener.
“Round city, there have been all the time public rinks you possibly can discover to skate or play on. You could possibly all the time simply discover a rink. After we have been enjoying outdoor, we might seize that massive jug of sizzling chocolate and have a blast on the market.”
One among Nic’s most treasured hockey moments was when he introduced the Stanley Cup to Kitchener after Vegas gained all of it in 2023.
“It was superior. After I obtained again within the morning, the very first thing we did was take it to Activa Sportsplex, and the Kitchener Minor Hockey Affiliation was nice – they helped me set up the occasion. A ton of individuals got here out to say hiya and see the Cup. We ended up doing an public sale for KidSport in Kitchener-Waterloo, which was wonderful.
“I obtained to see lots of people I hadn’t seen in a very long time, so it actually was an ideal time, one I am going to always remember.”
Each Bob and Nic see the fathers’ journey in the identical mild.
It was the fourth such expertise for each.
“I do not take a look at them as type of hockey gamers, however extra as the nice individuals they’re – only a nice bunch of individuals,” mentioned Bob.
A listing that features the crew’s main scorer on the 2024-25 midway level.
“I obtained to fulfill Jack Eichel. He is a hell of a hockey participant, however he is a good higher individual. His dad and I made a brand new connection too, so it is enjoyable to be a part of these. I suppose it is like a take your dad to work day.”
The journey was additionally a reminder of simply how shortly time has handed since Nic first laced up the skates,
“It flies by,” mentioned Nic. “It’s a cliche, however it’s true. From minor hockey in Kitchener to enjoying within the OHL, to now, my sixth yr within the NHL – it feels such as you blink and also you’re right here.”
Bob was fast to agree together with his son.
“I used to be truly speaking to somebody about that not too long ago,” added Bob. “It is amazing how quickly it all goes by.”
Bob, who’s now retired, however runs a consulting firm with a good friend, continues to get pleasure from each second of Nic’s hockey life.
Whether or not it’s within the stands or watching on TV, he by no means misses a recreation.
“First, for me, it is seeing the crew do nicely as a gaggle and discover success. I nonetheless need to see Nic smiling and having enjoyable the way in which he did when he was a child. It may be anxious for these guys, however I need to see him get pleasure from all of it.
“We still talk pretty much after every game. For me, it’s that he is having fun. It’s amazing for me to be able to still watch my son play hockey – that’s the great part.”
As for who took away essentially the most from the most recent fathers’ journey, it was a win-win for all, supplied Nic.
“All of us equally get pleasure from it. I do know it is one thing we [the players] get pleasure from and I do know the dads do as nicely. All of us have a ton of enjoyable.”
