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Dad Is Having Plenty Of Fun

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2009

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 19-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.

Sometimes I'm not sure who's enjoying the ride more this season, me or my dad, but I know he's having a lot of fun. He's been down to Tampa four times this year, he's gone on a couple of road trips with his buddies, including taking in the All-Star Game in Montreal.

But I guess you never really think or realize how excited and proud your parents really are during your first year in the NHL. There's the first time they get to see you play, there's the first road trip to an NHL rink where you really pick up the atmosphere you can't pick up on television.

On Friday, about 50 of his friends got on a bus and came down to Washington to watch us play. A bunch of his friends he plays hockey with and softball; I think one of them knows Washington general manager George McPhee or somebody.

So they got together and made their way down and showed up before the game and watched us play. Then they all stayed the night there, went down Saturday morning to watch practice and then they put their gear on and played a pick-up game against each other.

But it's been good to have him see me play so much. I know he'd like to come see every game if he could. He came to like 90 percent of my games in the Ontario Hockey League, and it's tough for him, so he's probably a little bored at home.

But any time he has a chance to come down he'll call up a couple of his friends and they'll make a road trip out of it. He seems to be having a lot of fun.

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