“Didn’t even think about” – Colorado Avalanche’s Josh Manson eyes Stanley Cup Final after father Dave came close


“Didn’t even think about” – Colorado Avalanche’s Josh Manson eyes Stanley Cup Final after father Dave came close

Josh Manson and Dave Manson

Colorado Avalanche defenceman Josh Manson wasn’t able to meet his dad and veteran ice hockey player Dave Manson for Father’s Day on Sunday. Josh and the Avalanche went past the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday to extend their lead in the best-of-7 series. 

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Notably, Dave, an active NHL defenseman between 1986 and 2002, is now an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers and twice came close to winning the Cup. In his 14th NHL season, the 55-year-old played for the Dallas Stars, who lost in six games to the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 Stanley Cup Final. Similarly, he reached the 1990 Campbell Conference Final but lost in six games to the Oilers during his fourth NHL season with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Oh, I didn’t even think about [Father’s Day],” Josh said last week, as quoted by NHL.com. “The focus has been on everything else. I’m sure we’ll be spending some good time together soon and we’ll want to make it special.”

“I think it’ll get pushed to the side a little bit with everything that’s been going on,” Josh said of Father’s Day. “But it’ll be nice to spend some time.”

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“Josh’s going to get to do this a few more times”

Josh Manson
Josh Manson

The Prince Albert native Dave clinched 390 points (102 goals, 288 assists) in 1,103 regular-season games for the Blackhawks, Oilers, Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Stars, and 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 112 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his 16-season NHL career. 

“We’re so excited for this opportunity [Josh] has,” Dave said before the Cup Final began. “We have talked about how this is going to be very hard and also that this opportunity doesn’t happen very often. Hopefully, he’s going to get to do this a few more times, but it’s very tough to do.”

Also Read | “A positive thing” – Artturi Lehkonen’s drive to win Stanley Cup Final made his father proud as coach and dad

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