U.S Thanksgiving – Moose Style

It’s U.S. Thanksgiving today.

The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade welcomed three million in New York City, NFL games will draw huge television audiences, and families and friends across the United States will gather for meals, laughs, and to give thanks.

It may not be a holiday for Manitobans but it is for our neighbors to the south and that means it’s special to Moose players like Eric Comrie and Chase De Leo (who grew up in California), Aaron Harstad (Wisconsin), and the captain John Albert (Ohio). Not to mention, Video Coach Will Craig (Virginia) and Strength-and-Conditioning Coach Jake Wolff (Montana).

“You can consider your team like your siblings or your mom or dad, so it’s great to be around the team during this time; spend time with the guys. You build more chemistry together and get to know each other a little better.” Said Albert before the team practiced at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Thursday afternoon.

And while the players know they are fortunate to be able to chase their hockey dreams through the Winnipeg Jets’ organization, it was Albert who offered a perspective reaching beyond himself and the sport.

“To play hockey is awesome; and I think one thing I’ve always been thankful for is the U.S. Army. You know, everything that the Army has done for us. The protection they’ve given us – it’s awesome.”

After their work day is done at the rink, the Moose will gather at the team’s hotel in Cleveland to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy the day, and what it stands for in their own way.

Moose Director of Hockey Operations Brad Andrews says the club tries to do what it can to support the players in many ways including ensuring they’re looked after on special occasions.

“I think it’s important, we travel a lot as a group and unfortunately sometimes those travel days happen to be on holidays so it’s important for us to get together as a group and have a sit-down dinner together.”

The Manitoba Moose play the second of six straight on-the-road Friday, November 27^th in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters.

Go to MooseHockey.com to listen to the game starting with the pre-game show at 5:45 pm

-Mitch Peacock