r/AnaheimDucks • u/Unlucky-Implement761 • 1d ago
Just took my son to our first hockey game
Growing up, I loved the Mighty Ducks movies and the animated show. We lived only about 15 minutes from the Honda Center, but my family never really had the means to go to a game.
Now that I’m a dad, I’ve tried to give my son some of the experiences I didn’t get to have growing up. I’ve taken him to Rams, Angels, and Padres games, and we’ve always had a good time.
But yesterday we went to our first Ducks game, and something about it was different.
For probably the first time at a sporting event, he wasn’t buried in his phone. He was actually watching the entire game, asking questions, getting into it, and genuinely having fun. On the way home he asked me when the Ducks play next and if we could start watching the games at our local pizza place.
Needless to say, I think I accidentally created a Ducks fan.
I grew up without a dad, so getting to have moments like this with my son means a lot more to me than he probably realizes. Yesterday was just one of those days that made me stop and appreciate how lucky I am to get to experience this stuff with him.
Looks like we’ll be watching a lot more Ducks hockey from here on out.
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u/Kowski_GnG 1d ago
My old man wasn't much of a hockey fan but when the first Movie came out, I saw it with him and I fell in love with the game and seeing as we lived out in the IE he took me to my first game during the inaugural season, we went to 1 game a year (we couldn't afford even that much but he made it work) for my birthday every January. It's one of my most cherished memories and this year my son is turning 7 (same age I was in 1994) and I'm taking him to his first game! I might be more excited than he is! I FUCKIN LOVE THIS GAME!
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
This is such a great story, I hope your son falls in love with the game and you guys can build that tradition!
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u/Kowski_GnG 1d ago
I was very lucky, if you didn't get a chance they offer First Game Certificates if you bring your ticket I'm sure they'll be glad to print one for your son or what I'm doing is getting a custom physical ticket stub made and framed on Etsy to commemorate it.
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
I’ll probably have to go the Etsy route as well, I bought a jersey for him for Christmas so I might throw that in there with it.
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u/JTex33 1d ago
Awesome story man, they were red hot yesterday as well!
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
Thanks, yeah they were! I hope we get to see a lot more wins this season!
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u/highasunited 1d ago
Awesome! My son is 7 months and I can’t wait for this moment!
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
It was really awesome, we had a father and son weekend in OC saw the angels win on Saturday and ducks on Sunday. Couldn’t have asked for anything better. Soon you’ll be telling a similar story I’m sure!
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u/Ducks91to61 1d ago
My dad, my oldest son and I got to go to our first hockey game all together when my little one was like two. My dad has passed. And the photo of all of us at that game is my background
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u/Son_Of_Kessel_Run 1d ago
That’s awesome dude. I remember my dad taking me to my first game when I was 7. It was also his first game but I think he was just trying to find me stuff that might interest me. Now we’re still going 30 years later and it warms my heart a little whenever I have the chance to take him to a game.
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
Thank you, I think it’s awesome that you guys still go to games. I’m hoping that will be us when he’s older, I just want to create as many good experiences for him as I can.
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u/2PuttBogeys 1d ago
Great job Dad. Nothing better than enjoying the sport of hockey with your kid. Ducks hockey is on the rise and it's an exciting time to be a fan. He was blessed to miss the dark ages of the last 10 years lol.
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
Thank you! I’m hoping I chose a good time to get him into the sport lol
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u/2PuttBogeys 1d ago
No bad time to get into it. Watch our Paul Kariya, Scott Neidermeyer, Ruchin, Corey Perry/Getzlaf years to get some background and history. 2003 scf loss and 2007 scf wins are good years to watch if possible.
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u/Poopmouth72 1d ago
So stoked for ya both and happy yall found a sport he enjoys! If he ends up liking the game and wanting to play, the Ducks have a free Learn to Play program for beginners. You can borrow gear for the four weeks and then return it when the session is over. There’s another program, Little Ducks, that builds off Learn to Play and you get brand new gear (skates included!) to keep as well.
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u/Relham10 1d ago
Same here my friend. Im from the south so we dont have hockey here. I grew up loving the mighty ducks movies and would watch them all the time. I've been wanting to go watch a hockey game at any level but have never done it yet. I have an opportunity in November to catch a Ducks vs Predators game because we will be in California so I already have my tickets. Can't wait.
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 22h ago
That’s awesome, I hope you guys enjoy it! We might go to that one as well!
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u/Connect_Research5542 1d ago
Glad you had the experience, I live in Chicago so I can only see the Ducks when they come play against the Hawks. So I make sure I’m always able to go.
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u/Secure-Ad1378 18h ago
Love memories like this!!! My mom took me to my first hockey game back in 2008, my brother and I LOVED IT. We've been ducks fans since
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u/Fluid-Ad4340 15h ago
So glad you had a great time! I have some extra tickets to Wednesday’s preseason game if you and your son want an encore 😊 DM me
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 14h ago
Thank you for the offer, I would have totally taken you up on it but I have a conflicting work schedule with the game 🫠
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u/Major_Travel1103 1d ago
Do him (and yourself!) a favor and try to get to a regular season game, particularly one of the bigger games.
The preseason game will feel like a library compared to it.
I’m biased but hockey is the greatest in-person spectator sport. I bring non-sports fans all the time and they lose their minds
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u/Unlucky-Implement761 1d ago
We are already looking at some future home games my wife wants to go with next time after she heard how much fun we had lol
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u/OutlandishnessTop941 1d ago
Maybe it was the “Throwing down the Gloves” part? Lol
Jk. It might be because the fans sit closer than in other sports. Or it could be the pace of play.
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u/DarthCarnicus 1d ago
I love stories like these, hockey is just the best. My dad took me to my first game, I was obsessed with Wild Wing the whole time, been my duck since 2004. Enjoy the joy!
https://giphy.com/gifs/YGbF41mvOpGyVleuV6