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This Christmas Is Different

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 21, 2008

Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey.

This will be the second year in a row spending Christmas away from home. My first year in Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League, we would get like a nine-day break so I was able to make it home for Christmas and spend time with my family. Last year at the World Junior Championships with Team Canada we were in the Czech Republic, and although my family came over to join me, they didn't come over until after Christmas.

It's a little different only getting two days off for Christmas here, but I guess it's better than none last year when we were over in the Czech Republic.

This year, my parents and my sister are flying down on Christmas Eve, so they will be in town. I think they might drive down to the game in Florida on Friday, and then when we come back we'll be in town for a little bit. So it will be a nice Christmas with the family. We'll enjoy a nice turkey dinner. I haven't seen my parents in a while, so it will be good.

When my host family came down from Sarnia, they bought me a little tree, and I have a few Christmas lights up on the porch outside, but it's kind of a weird feeling the Christmas holidays when it's 75 degrees and sunny outside. That's a new experience for me, that's for sure.

Last year at this time I was getting ready for the World Juniors, but to be honest, this year I hadn't really thought about it. I checked to see who made Team Canada and stuff, but I guess I'll try to be watching as many games as I can. I know a few guys on the team, and I saw that they won their first exhibition game Friday, so I will keep an eye on it.

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