Nick Schultz - Philadelphia Flyers

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Nick Schult
55
W
ith three little ones,
Christmas is always a time
of joy and anticipation
for the Schultz family. So much so,
that every year, Nick and Jessica’s
children, Jake, Brooke, and Sydney
each get to open a present early on
Christmas Eve. And on Christmas
morning, after the kids unwrap Santa’s
handiwork, the Schultzes take their
annual family photo in front of the
Christmas tree (with an occasional
appearance from the four-legged
member of the family).
Nick, Jessica and Schultz children pose in front of the tree for a family photo.
Nick helps his kids
set up their brand
new toy Nerf gun.
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Chris VandeVelde’s
son, Levin, opens a
gift from Santa!
Chris
e
VandeVeld
76
D
uring the Christmas holiday, the VandeVelde’s like to emphasize the
importance of togetherness and family. Every year on Christmas Eve,
they attend church and afterwards, they gather around the table for a
special Christmas dinner. As a family, they clean up dinner and wash the dishes
before they can open their presents that night.
Taylor Leier
58
I
t’s all about the dessert for the Leier
family during Christmas time. Mama
Leier makes a big batch of sugar
cookies and holds a contest to see who
can decorate the confections the best.
Surrounded by the comfort of family, the
night is spent devouring the baked goods.
rd
Pierre-Edoaurea
Bellem
78
T
he Bellemare family likes to celebrate their Christmas Eve in traditional
French style, which includes a holiday meal of oysters, snails, and turkey.
The meal begins at 11 p.m. and is followed by gift opening at midnight.
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Claude Giroux and girlfriend
Ryanne Breton sporting
matching Christmas outfits
with their puppy Harvey.
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C
laude Giroux and girlfriend Ryanne
Breton like to spend the holiday with
a full house. With the whole family
occupying Claude and Ryanne’s home, Ryanne’s
mother provides everyone with special matching
pajamas. On Christmas morning, coffee with
Baileys Irish Cream is a must, and Ryanne’s step
dad Dave serves his “Eggs Benedave” specialty.
A Gingerbread house masterpiece made by Claude Giroux
and Ryanne along with Matt and Erin Read.
C
hristmas has always
been a cherished
holiday for the
Mason family. So much so,
Steve
Mason
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that on Christmas Eve when
Steve was younger, his father
would dress up in a Santa
Claus costume and surprise
him and his sister. Now,
Steve’s family spends the
holiday here in Philadelphia
where they like to enjoy a
turkey dinner all together.
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Luke Schenn
22
E
very Christmas Eve, Luke
and Jessica Schenn
celebrate Jessica’s special
Polish family tradition known as
Polish Wigilia. The traditional Polish
Christmas meal includes a special
Christmas wafer (opłatek), fish
dishes and Borscht with Uszka
(tortellini), pierogis, potato salad,
cabbage, beets, and an array of
delicious desserts.
Luke and Jessica Schenn
pose for a photo at last
year’s Flyers Holiday Skate.
Christmas decorations done by
the Schenn family.
Jessica Schenn’s
pierogi preparation.
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Jakub Voracek and
girlfriend Nicole
Warnecke are all
smiles at last year’s
Flyers Holiday Skate.
Jakub Voracek
93
C
hristmas is Jake Voracek and girlfriend Nicole Warnecke’s favorite time
of the year. With Jake’s Czech heritage and Nicole’s American heritage,
Czech food is served on Christmas Eve and American food is served on
Christmas day. The scrumptious Czech cookies served on Christmas Eve always
seem to be the highlight.
Shayne
Gostisbehere
53
E
very Christmas, the Gostisbeheres grandparent’s house is the holiday
hot spot for a big steak dinner. Shayne says he will always remember one
Christmas in particular when he got a set of street hockey goalie pads.
He remembers the excitement of receiving them, putting them on right away, and
going outside to have his dad shoot on him on Christmas morning.
10
T
he Laughtons are surrounded by
relatives during the Christmas
holiday. Scott and his family
enjoy opening their gifts and setting up
the Christmas tree together. Every year,
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Pop-Pop Laughton gives hilarious gifts
that always become the family’s source
of entertainment for the night.
Michael
!"
12
W
hen it comes to the
holidays, Michael Raffl
will always remember
receiving and playing his all-time
favorite Christmas gift: Sega Mega
Drive. Michael says that Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles was always
his game of choice.
11
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e
v
Da
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or the Hakstol family, Christmas means spending time together as a family, and,
of course, a little hockey. The festivities start on Christmas Eve when the family
attends an afternoon children’s church service, share a holiday meal, and exchange
gifts. Then, after much anticipation for Santa’s overnight visit, Hakstol children Avery and
Brenden wake up early to open presents. The highlight of the day, however, is the annual
family hockey game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND which features
Hakstol family members ages 2-65 taking to the ice together.
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Taking time to give and
GIVE
THANKS
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On an off-night just before this year’s
Thanksgiving holiday, the Philadelphia Flyers,
along with their significant others, took a
moment to pause and give back. Over 10
of the team’s players, including Claude
Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Steve Mason,
dropped the gloves to prepare and serve a
full Thanksgiving meal to children and their
families staying at the Philadelphia Ronald
McDonald House in the West Philadelphia
neighborhood of the city.
The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
(PRMH) supports families of seriously ill
children by creating a community of comfort
and hope. PRMH is built on the foundation
of providing holistic support to families —
including comfortable rooms, daily homecooked meals, complimentary vans to the
hospital, social worker assistance, and the
support of other families who understand—so
that they can stay together and stay focused
on the health and well-being of their child and
their family as a whole.
Families like the Odum’s are extremely
grateful for organizations like the Philadelphia
Flyers. Chris Odum and his seven-year-old
son Xander, residents of Upstate New York,
have been coming to the Philadelphia Ronald
McDonald house for the majority of Xander’s
life. Xander has undergone several surgeries,
including three for his heart. “For these
guys to take the time with their girlfriends
and wives, we’re very humbled and very
appreciative,” said Odum.
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Sounds of laughter and conversation took
over the house, while the smells of the
delicious meal prepared filled the air. With
Jakub Voracek’s girlfriend, Nicole Warnecke,
running point, the team took two hours to
prepare turkey, ham, an array of sides, pies,
and more for the children and their families to
enjoy.
“I think that when the wives and girlfriends,
as well as the guys, can cook a meal for the
Ronald McDonald House, it really puts things
in perspective. It allows us to step back
and forget about hockey for the night, really
focus on what’s important, and give back the
Philadelphia community,” said Warnecke.
Following dinner, the players joined the
children and their families for coloring
and games. They also took time to sign
autographs and take photos. “It’s a lot of fun
to be able to interact with the kids and be able
to help out. It’s a fun team event,” said Flyers
Captain Claude Giroux.
Susan Campbell, the executive director of
the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House,
was extremely honored to host a team like
the Philadelphia Flyers. “Having the Flyers
come and take some time out of their busy
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game schedule…and taking the time to talk
to the community, it really means the world to
the families that are staying here. It is a great
representation of the Flyers organization and
their commitment to the community,” said
Campbell.
While winning games may be important to
this team, seeing the smiles on the children’s
faces may just be the most rewarding win
of them all. This is not only a night that the
players will cherish, but more importantly the
families, as they made memories that will stick
with them for a lifetime.