Andrew's Professional Hockey Debut

Andrew's Learn to Play Hockey Team was invited to play in between periods at a Providence Bruins game this weekend at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Coaches had done a good job pumping the kids up about it and Andrew was super excited. Everyday this week, he would ask "How many more days?". On Sunday morning, he got up at 7:30 AM, came downstairs and asked when we were leaving. He could hardly contain his excitement.

Brenna has a good friend who plays hockey and he had skated at a P Bruins game before. When they heard that we were going, the decided to join us. We were very excited to have them along and they were super supportive of Andrew.

Ironically, this was the first real hockey game that Andrew (and Brenna) had ever seen. He has watched bits and pieces of games on TV, but he had never even been to a professional arena. So, this was an extra special experience.

When we arrived we were taken down to the locker rooms so the kids could drop off their gear. Then we headed up to our seat and got our first real look at the ice.

It was "Thunderstick" day so Andrew was the lucky recipient of these...

Brenna's friend Adam showed up with his fan gear as well and kindly shared with Brenna.

It was a great arena to watch a game in. Andrew was amazed at how fast the players were skating, and kept asking questions about penalties, etc. Most of his questions I could not answer. (I think I will have to finally learn about the rules of this game!) And he even commented a few times about how he thought that he could skate like the Bruins players if he kept practicing!

His team skated between 2nd and 3rd period. Two of his other friends' teams skated between the 1st and 2nd period so we got to watch them from the stands first. Andrew really got a kick out of seeing his friends out on the ice and the jumbotron.

When it was time, Todd took him down to the locker room and got him suited up. The team got to watch the end of the 2nd period from ice level. (Andrew is the one turned around looking at the camera.)

When the period ended, the doors were opened and on they went. Andrew is #8.

Here are some shots from their game.

As the kids came off the ice, they were each given their own Providence Bruins cap and a pin to commemorate their skate.

He returned to the stands and we watched the remainder of the game.

It really was a great experience. We enjoyed watching the AHL game but, of course, the highlight was seeing our favorite hockey player out their on the ice. As we were driving home later that night (before he fell asleep in the car), Andrew wanted to know when he could do it again!