From Thursday, Nov. 21 to Saturday, Nov. 23, the New Jersey Devils hosted a mom's trip. With their mom's in attendance, the boys won both games — including the mom's seeing what an away game is like during a 3-2 win against the Capitals.
Clearly, the mom's motivated the team a little extra and maybe provided the Devils with a bit of luck.
Especially interesting was the fact that this was the first mom's weekend most had experienced. Thus, most didn't know each other and yet they all felt they had a connection with one another.
All smiles. 😃 pic.twitter.com/8a0HXWbeYg
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 23, 2024
Unique to the mom's weekend was Ellen Hughes, who is the mom of not only one but two Devils players — Jack and Luke.
"I think the greatest thing about hockey is that even though we all come from all walks of life and so many different countries, we can all share some similarities," Ellen said. "It's special to spend this kind of time together but to spend it together with our sons and all of the other moms as well."
Ellen went on to say that despite having sons in the NHL for over five years, this was her first mom's weekend sponsored by an NHL organization.
"Quinn and Jack have been playing in the NHL for six years, and Luke is in his second, and I've never been on a mom's trip," Ellen said. "They play at a really elite level, and it's just incredible."
Captain Nico Hischier scored one point while in Washington and in front of his mom. He helped out on a Dougie Hamilton goal in the second period for an assist, which ended up being the game-winner.
"I'm just trying to enjoy it as much as possible," Nico said on having his mom with him. "It's great to have them here, and obviously every mom is a huge part of where we are right now.
His mom, Katja, said it especially meant a lot to her to see how hard Nico works everyday.
"It's very special," Katja Hischier said. "Because I know he has worked so hard, but now, I see what he does every day, exactly, and the time he puts (in)."
Going back to Jack and Luke's mom, she said that mom's weekend only reaffirms the fact that hockey players are underestimated.
"To be able to get to see what they do on a daily routine ... it's just incredible," Ellen said. "I think the thing people underestimate is the travel and the late nights."
The Moms' Trip wasn't just a chance for our boys and their moms to connect.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 24, 2024
It helped form a special bond between all the number 1️⃣s, an experience that will last far beyond this weekend.
While wins, statistics and rumors are certainly important to the NHL, sometimes its even more vital to sit back and enjoy the little things. And mom's weekend proved that for the Devils.