GENE'S BLOG: Family Day

Happy holiday Monday to everyone. Today wasn't the typical start of the work week but instead something better -- the continuation of the weekend.
The third Monday in February is typically known as Family Day or at least that's the case in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Other names for it are Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Heritage Day in Nova Scotia and Islander Day in Prince Edward Island.
In Alberta the holiday was first celebrated in 1990 and this province was actually the first to have a statutory holiday in February (Saskatchewan was second in 2007). It all happened on the advice of then Premier Don Getty who said it was important for Albertans to spend time with their families.
Unfortunately, as the schedule would have it, the Oilers were going to spend this Monday with their hockey family. The team embarked on a day-long travel itinerary from Edmonton to Tampa to kick off their five-game road trip (other stops include Florida, Carolina, Philadelphia and Chicago).
Leave in the morning, add in a two-hour time difference, a five-plus-hour flight, a bus ride to the hotel and it would be supper time before the team arrived at the site of their next game against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning.

For anyone who's been on a hockey team or any kind of team, you know they end up being like your extended family because of all the good times. You share a few laughs, a few stories, and the bonding between the boys on the bus and the plane goes a long way to creating their on-ice chemistry.
There is one Edmonton Oiler who has become the newest member of the Family Day family. His name is Devin Shore, his wife's name is Maggie and their newborn baby boy is Jamie John Shore. He decided to make his arrival at 12:30pm Edmonton time on Saturday. Jamie John weighed in at 8 lbs, 14 oz., and both mother and child are doing well.
Jamie's timing was great since it allowed Devin to be their for the birth of his son. Pregnancies are hard to predict, and in fact the Shores' first child was scheduled to be born the same day or night that Devin was on the ice with Edmonton in Los Angeles. The Oiler was thinking about both hockey and hurrying home. In the end, it all worked out

The team's Mr. Versatility, who has played the role of wing and centre from line to line, is now enjoying his role as a father. However, it was only in person for a couple of days as he was on the plane Monday and going back to work. Heading out of town meant leaving his family behind for the next 11 days. No need to tell Jay Woodcroft how that feels. He lived it while living out his dream of becoming an NHL head coach. Plus, he isn't sure how many days he'll be away from his wife and twin daughters.
Things happen fast as they did the day of his hiring on Feb. 10. His girls were in school and so was his wife who is a teacher. Starting your travel day in Bakersfield and finishing it in Edmonton takes time. As explained by Woodcroft, there was next to no time to say goodbye, but thankfully within days the Oilers were back in California.
It gave Jay a chance to say hello to his family who made the two-hour drive from Bakersfield to Los Angeles to see their dad/husband and the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. They will soon join him in Oil Country for at least a little time together and a delayed Family Day.
Whether you're in the NHL or not, sacrifices are made and they often include having to cut back on time spent with your loved ones. That's why having a day specifically meant to be spent with family is a wonderful opportunity. Take advantage of it. From the Principe family to your family, enjoy a safe, fun and fantastic 2022 Family Day.