Grandparents drive hours in snow to make grandson’s NHL game

For the first time in his young NHL career, St. Louis Blues’ Jake Neighbours, a 2020 first round pick, was playing somewhat close to home against the Flames in Calgary, the second homecoming this trip for a young Blues player. However, this one was special since Neighbours had more than 30 people in attendance at the Saddledome, including his aunt, uncle, grandparents and his girlfriend’s family.

During the game, which the Blues won by the score of 3-0 over the Flames, St. Louis made an emotional post on social media, sharing how Neighbours’ grandparents drove 10 hours in the snow to make it to the Saddledome to see their grandson and watch live their first NHL game ever. His family is from Saskatchewan, more specifically towns named Tisdale and Melfort about two hours northeast of Saskatoon.

“Nana & Papa left at 3 a.m. to drive 10 hours in the snow to their first NHL game. It was a long journey but nothing was going to stop them from seeing their grandson live his dream.”

Before the game, Neighbours met with reporters and revealed how he’s always been an enemy at the Saddledome. He grew up an Edmonton Oilers fan and came to some Battles of Alberta at this arena. Even on his way to the NHL, Neighbours played for the Edmonton Oil Kings and many times against the Hitmen at the Saddledome. He even scored his first Western Hockey League goal in the building.

He came into Thursday’s game with the hope to make it memorable for his grandparents and his entourage.

“A lot of them, it’s actually their first NHL game ever,” Neighbours said. “It’ll be pretty cool for a lot of them to be here, just to see me play. They watched me in junior here and there. We would go to Saskatchewan and play, that’s where they’re all from.”

Neighbours is in his first full season in the NHL after splitting time between St. Louis and AHL affiliate Springfield last year. He entered Thursday with one goal in five games. He did not record a point in the Blues’ shutout victory over the Flames, but did get to celebrate the victory with his entire family.

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