Golden Knights Alex Pietrangelo and Jack Eichel recall experiences playing in previous Winter Classics.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remembered being at Busch Stadium for his first Winter Classic experience in 2017.
He’d been to the stadium numerous times before, and, as a St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed the experience of being able to play in the venue.
He will get the go through it again when the Vegas Golden Knights travel to Seattle for the 2024 Winter Classic.
There will be a number of differences this time, however.
The first: he will have his four children skating with him during the family skate.
“They got it. They woke up this morning and said, ‘We're going to Seattle,’ so you know they're at the point where they get it,” Pietrangelo said. “The kids are bringing their skates, so for them it’s a cool opportunity to skate around with dad.”
The second: he will be playing in a stadium he has never been to, which excites him as a baseball fan.
These are the moments Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy wants his players to remember when they take part in the various activities that come with taking part in the event.
“It’s not one of 82 games,” Cassidy said. “It’s a different feeling. It’s a different atmosphere. So you should soak it all in.”
Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel played in the Winter Classic in 2018 at Citi Field. He, like Pietrangelo, recalled the details of the experience, ranging from skating with his and his girlfriend’s family to the actual game, which the Sabres lost 3-2 in overtime to the New York Rangers.
“It’s a spectacle,” he said. “The fireworks. The flyover. Standing out there for the anthem.
Being in the dugout. The uniforms. The eye black. It’s all part of the experience and it makes it that more special.”
Cassidy wants his players to consistently live in the moment. It’s more or less the same formula that he used during the Stanley Cup Finals, sans the stress and intensity. He wants his players to create memories that will last them and their loved ones a lifetime.
“I hope it’s special memories for everybody,” Cassidy said. “That's what it's supposed to be. They may not appreciate it like the next week but over time, families are there. It’s a different environment, so that that's what I'm hoping the players get from it.”