It has happened so infrequently, it’s pretty fair to say it never takes place at all.
But Derek Army, for one of the first times in his entire life, wanted nothing to do with going to the rink. The Nailers head coach wanted to ride out the arctic blast at home in Elm Grove with his wife, Jenn, and their two kids, two-year-old Boone, and infant Adelina, instead of traveling to Toledo for a Christmas Eve-Eve matchup against the Walleye.
Now, everything worked out very well. The team departed Wesbanco Arena on Thursday afternoon instead of early Friday because of the wintry weather predicted for northwest Ohio, stayed in a hotel close to the Huntington Center, and defeated Toledo 5-4 in overtime last night. The Nailers then stayed a second night and returned to Wheeling this afternoon around 1 p.m. with a 12-13-1 record and tied for fourth in the ECHL’s Central Division.
“Hey, I know what I signed up for, but it’s still hard sometimes. It’s really hard now since Jenn and I just welcomed our daughter before the season started because we’ve been doing what most families do around here,” Army explained. “We’ve taken the kids through Oglebay’s Festival of Lights, we’ve watched The Grinch, and we’ve been decorating. Plus, my son (Boone) is really starting to understand what Christmas is all.
“When I’m at home during the season, we definitely make the most of it, and Boone has been playing a lot of hockey just like my Dad had me doing when I was my son’s age (2), so it’s always a lot of fun,” he said. “But leaving for Toledo this time was tough because it’s Christmas, but also because of the weather and not knowing what to expect. The very last thing I want is to be stranded in Toledo, trust me.”
The homecoming, however, was well worth the hassle.
“I was very excited to get home because my parents and my brother are flying in and my Dad and my brother haven’t met Addie yet so it’s going to be a very special time,” Army said. “I’m really looking forward to that, and then on top of my family coming in, I just can’t wait to watch Boone on Christmas morning. The whole ‘Santa-magic’ part of Christmas is something we’re having a lot of fun with because our son is really into it and that’s so fun to watch.
“I can’t wait to see him react to everything under the tree, reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and putting out the cookies for Santa,” he said. “As parents, we can’t wait to sit there and watch it all take place and enjoy it as a mother and as a father. Leaving was very difficult, but my family knows there are times when I have to leave town to go to work. They also know when I get home, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
‘Twas the Night After Whipping Walleye
Good news: Everything Boone asked Santa for was sports related.
Bad news: His Christmas wishes included hockey sticks and baseball bats.
“Well, the little guy figured out those things are for hitting,” Army said while chuckling. “I don’t think Jenn enjoys it, though, so …”
So, the Misses drew the line, now didn’t she?
“OK, so technically, Boone told Santa he wanted toys,” the head coach divulged. “But see, once I dove into his answer with him, he told me he wants any kind of sports balls, he wants hockey sticks, and baseball bats. Those are the three things he said, I swear.”
So, no baseball bats or hockey sticks for the boy?
“Well, I mean, we did get him some hockey stuff for sure, and he is getting baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, and basketballs, too. And yes, I did get him some hockey pucks,” Armey admitted. “He does have a couple of baseball bats already, and trust me, he’s hitting with them. So, we’ll wait on giving him more baseball bats for just a bit longer.”
Nailer fans likely will see Boone during the new year on the ice at Wesbanco Arena because the 2-year-old has taken to the ice and to the game just like every other Army kid has in the past.
“If I had it my way, he’d be playing already,” Army joked. “Boone is definitely going to be a hockey player because that’s the family way, but he’ll play whatever he wants to play, too. One thing we already know, though, is that he loves to be at the rink and around the players. They’re great with him when I bring him to work, and the smile doesn’t leave his face the whole time.
“But when he doesn’t come to the rink, I know when I get home he’s going to have that smile ear-to-ear as soon as he sees me come through the door,” he added. “Plus, my daughter, Addie, might just be looking up at me smiling right now because she’s only a couple of months old, but she knows I’m her dad and that I love her with all my heart. So, yeah, leaving for the game Thursday wasn’t something I liked a lot, but thankfully we got the win and we’re all home safe for a visit from Santa Claus.”
