Journey with the Jets will one day make for trip down memory lane

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This article was published 07/01/2024 (639 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TEMPE, Ariz. – Clifford Foster concedes he was feeling a bit anxious.

The last time he watched his grandson play goal during a visit to Vancouver, he posted a shutout, which meant the pressure was on if he was going to continue to be the good luck charm for Laurent Brossoit.

There was no shutout to be had, but Brossoit was one of the shining lights, making 37 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

And there were no additional nerves for Foster on Sunday, as the Jets closed out this three-game fathers/mentors trip against the Arizona Coyotes, with Connor Hellebuyck back in goal.

“I live in London, England, the consequence of which is that I only see the highlights,” said Foster, who is 86. “Well, I’m the oldest here. They’re looking after me. It’s fantastic. It really is fantastic.”

During the past five days, Foster didn’t need to get up in the middle of the night or tune into the highlights as he was part of the swing that included stops in San Jose, Anaheim and Tempe, Arizona.

The trip included several team dinners, a golf outing, some target practice and a glimpse behind the curtain about what life is like during an NHL road trip.

“This is the highlight,” he points to the meal spread in the suite and the friendly banter happening around him. “The way the team is treating us is fantastic. In the box, the best hotels, the best food, continuously.”

Foster’s father ran a clothing company and had a connection to The Beatles, one of the many stories making the rounds.

“He thinks he’s an expert now. He never grew up with sports at all. But he’s your classic, English, witty, sarcastic kind of guy. He thinks he’s hilarious. He loves to chit chat with the fellas and I’m pretty sure he’s one of the fan favourites here.

“He was talking everyone’s ear off.”

The laughs were plentiful for the mentors during the past several days.

“It’s over the top,” said Tom Schmidt. “They’re all down to earth and fun to talk to. Everybody has got a different background. Most guys laugh. They start talking and asking ‘where did you play?’ I say: ‘I can’t skate. I never played hockey.’ I don’t know how Nate picked it up but he did.”

Being back at the Honda Center reminded Angelo Perfetti of the journey it took to make it to the rink in time for Cole’s NHL debut, with an assist provided to the parents of Ducks defenceman Jamie Drysdale for getting the airline to hold the plane during a tight connection.

“It was so last minute and so rushed that we didn’t really appreciate it as much as we do now looking back on it,” said Perfetti. “It’s been eye opening how hard the travel is (for the players).”

For Jake Morrissey, the younger brother of Josh, the memories were plentiful.

“It’s been awesome to bond and to spend that time together. Obviously, we all watch the same game on TV but we don’t get the opportunity to be in the same rink together. That’s probably the most special part,” said Morrissey. “I’ve got the opportunity to meet some of the parents and mentors along the way, but really so far it’s been nice to sort of branch out and meet everybody. Everybody has so many cool things to say and stories to share.”

Jake accompanied Josh to the NHL All-Star game last season, but coming on this trip was extra special.

“This is incredible. It’s so nice to get the chance to see how these guys travel and how they prepare for their games and to see what it’s like to really be on the road with them,” said Morrissey. “Even more importantly and what’s almost more cool is to get to spend so much time with all of the other fathers, cousins, brothers, involved in leading these guys to this point.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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