A Special Christmas Thank You To All Allen Players, Past And Present

As I was reflecting on what to write about on Christmas Day I noticed how many messages there were on social media about spending the holidays with friends and families. That is not true for most hockey players as the Christmas break does not allow enough time to get back home. Friends and family all too often are teammates and their families which is great but not the same as friends and family at home. Long before he became team captain, Jamie and Nicole Schaafsma started having those in town for Christmas to their place for Christmas dinner, a tradition that will continue this year. Well done Jamie and Nicole.

So this post is merely a THANK YOU to all players (and their families) past and present for what you have done for all the fans of the Allen Americans both on and off the ice. It has been quite a ride over the last few years. One of the benefits of writing a blog is getting to know many of the players and their families and with social media it is easy to feel connected even when they move on. The following is a small sample of Christmas time with players and their families past and present.

This was posted yesterday by the Allen Americans

London, Whitney, Harper & Bruce Graham - Nottingham, England 2012

London & Harper Graham - 2014

Nicole, Sawyer & Sutter Schaafsma

The Snowden's

Aaron Gens, girlfriend Kellie, and their dog to Kentucky for Christmas

Christmas in Japan courtesy of Colton Yellow Horn

Lynden's first Christmas and skate with dad, Trevor Ludwig

The most famous dog in Allen history, Pearl (@Pearlilicious11), was Phil Fox's "wing dog"

Sydney Ludwig - Tyler & Taylor's daughter

Nino Musitelli and his girlfriend Kendra

- Andrea Hanson (Greger's wife who is attending law school in North Carolina) posted this on social media: 6 hrs, 5 states, and 2 red bulls later and Bella (their dog) and I are halfway to Worcester for Xmas with Greger.

- Kevin Young had this to say to everyone: Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends and to all of those I have met during my travels. Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Fröhliche Weihnachten. Joyeux Noel. Hyvaa joulua. Feliz Navidad. God Jul.

Once again thank you, thank, you, thank you to all players past and present for the sacrifices you have made to follow your dreams and the joy you have brought to the fans in Allen on and off the ice. Your determination on the ice and kindness off the ice is both noticed and appreciated. May this Christmas day be a joyous one for you and yours!

Happy Holidays from Barry the Blogger