It’s a tradition for all NHL teams throughout the year. Some teams have mom weekends. Some have family weekends. Others have mentor weekends. However, the Islanders continue to go with the classic “dad’s and mentors trip.” The once-a-season tradition is a great bonding experience as well as a fun time for the current Islander players.
Although most players opt to have their fathers join them, some players such as forward Matt Martin and defenseman Nick Leddy, asked their brothers to join them on this trip. For most fathers, it’s something they’ve grown used to, already well in the know of what it’s like attending these games. However, for some it was their first trip and their first experience.
“It was great to meet the other dads and mentors,” said Gus Dal Colle, father of forward Michael Dal Colle. “I really enjoyed getting to know them and I have certainly made new friends.”
Many fans know that the team on the ice is close and have great relationships, but there is something that makes it even more special knowing how well the fathers get along as well.
The trip unofficially started in The Coliseum where the Islanders matched up against their crosstown rivals the Rangers. Some fathers decided to make the trip down to New York to watch the game.
While the trip officially occurred in the town of last season’s Stanley Cup Champions, the St. Louis Blues, the Coliseum was rocking as well. The Islanders welcomed the dads and mentors to watch the morning skate at the Enterprise Center after attending dinner together the night before.
Mr. Dal Colle also stated that being able to watch the team means he got to truly appreciate the people behind the scenes, those that us as fans might not know by names or faces, those who don’t suit up in a jersey every night, but still play an important role. He stated that the doctors, administrators, trainers, media personnel and more are a great team and that the players are “fortunate to be surrounded” by them.
Seeing and hearing about the inner workings of the team is an insight not many fans are aware of, it’s an experience the dads love. After watching the practice the fathers were lucky enough to go on a beer tour before attending the game in the suit that night.
For Someone like Mr. Dal Colle it was his first experience with these trips. However, for forwards Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Derick Brassard, their fathers and mentors have been attending these trips for many years. This year was somewhat of a reunion for the two dads who both them (and sons) are long time pals were able to see each other again. “
It’s a reunion,” Mr. Pageau stated in his interview with Shannon Hogan. “It’s amazing to all be here. I met [Mr. Pulock] back in Denmark. That was when we first met. Now, here we are together again. Our sons are all Islanders.”
As stated before, most players brought their fathers along for the trip however for Matt Martin and Nick Leddy they were lucky enough to have their brothers there with them.
“I’ve been on a bunch of these [dads and mentors trips] with Matt over the years and they’re always a blast,” Justin Martin said.
By now it’s obvious how much the dad’s appreciate these trips, but it’s also extremely important for the players as well.
“It’s good to have them around,” said Jordan Eberle. “It’s like having a second coach. It’s good to have him around and give him a view. Any time you have the chance to spend time with him and show him how the day-to-day goes in the NHL it’s always fun and a good time.”
Dads mean everything for these players. They are many times the ones who get them into hockey to begin with.
“I owe everything to my parents to get to this level, how much they sacrificed, driving me to rinks at 5:30 a.m. in Toronto,” Dal Colle said.
Even the coaches are on board with this fun family filled trip.
“It’s a little change of pace,” said Islanders head coach Barry Trotz. “I don’t mind it at all. You get into the grind where the games are very important. You get a chance of pace and so levity out of it. There’s always a funny story or two from the dads.”
While Trotz loves hearing the funny stories from the dads’, the fathers love being able to meet Trotz.
“It was an honor and humbling to meet Lou and Barry as well,” Mr. Dal Colle said. “Two legends of our beloved game.”
With all these positive aspects surrounding the dads and mentors trips we can only hope that this tradition will continue not only with the Islanders, but with other teams for a long, long time. Fans love to see it, players and coaches love to be involved, and of course, the dads and mentors are proud and love seeing their sons playing hard for the game they love

Drive4Five