Andreas Schmid talks about video games and reveals the best gift his son has ever given him.
The New Jersey Devils hosted their annual dad/mentors trip from Dec. 15-17. The team played back-to-back games that weekend versus the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks, earning a 1-1-0 record.
It might only be a weekend, but the memories made within those 48 hours last a lifetime for the players and their guests. The organization's website and social media team shared a few great moments from the trip, including Dawson Mercer's father reading the starting lineup ahead of the Blue Jackets game.
Like their sons, each father and mentor has their own personality. While some shied away from the cameras and focused on spending time with their sons, others participated in interviews and publicly shared their experience.
According to some, there was one father who "came out the star of the dad's trip," and that was Andreas Schmid.
Akira Schmid's father participated in his first-ever father's trip last week. It was also his first time visiting New Jersey.
"This is amazing," he said to Devils reporter Catherine Bogart. "It's overwhelming because we live in a little town (in Switzerland), maybe 9,000 inhabitants. They have two times the size here (at Prudential Center)."
Akira later told me that while his parents have not previously been to the United States, they have done their fair share of traveling, including visits to China and Australia.
Ahead of the Devils game versus the Ducks, I caught up with Andreas for a quick chat before puck drop.
After seeing his interviews with Bogart and Erika Wachter, I had an idea of what to expect, and when Andreas stepped out of the suite at Prudential Center, I was not surprised to be met by a kind smile and a warm presence.
To learn more about his relationship with Akira, I asked Andreas what he enjoyed doing with his son outside of hockey. The following words that came out of his mouth surprised me.
"I'm kind of a gamer."
I learned that when Akira was younger, he and his dad used to play video games together.
"We used to game together with his brother. We spent sometimes too much (time) with the Playstation," Andreas said with a laugh.
Andreas' favorite video game? Ghost of Tsushima.
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about video games, I needed some clarification from Akira.
"You know (with) games, you either try hard and then you're good at it, or you just sit back and spend some time on it, and it progresses. He's more like (the latter) kind of gamer," the goaltender said.
For those who don't know, Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai game, and while there is fighting, Akira said the graphics in the game are pretty relaxing.
Even though the dad/mentors' trip is officially in the rearview mirror, Andreas and his wife are still in New Jersey and will be here for the Christmas break to celebrate with their son and his girlfriend, Brooke.
With the holidays approaching, I asked Andreas what his favorite gift he received from Akira was. With no hesitation, he came up with an answer that crowned him the winner of the dad's trip among fans.
"Time. Time with him and his girlfriend, with family. I think that is really precious."
Andreas stole the hearts of Devils fans last weekend. He put himself out there and allowed people to get to know him and his son a little bit better. Knowing how much he values time with his son, it is safe to say the memories made last weekend will hold a special place in Andreas' heart.
More stories from my chat with Andreas and Nico Hischier's father, Rino, will be out over the next couple of days, including their thoughts on what kind of teammates their sons are.