Santini has put on his coaching skates as well, teaching Chase and his teammates how to play the game while developing fundamental hockey skills.
“It’s just a great joy seeing the smile on their faces, seeing them get better and enjoy the process of getting better,” Santini said. “It’s a great joy, and I’m looking forward to doing it the next few years as well.”
Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) forward John Hayden is Chase’s second favorite player. Santini and Hayden were teammates for the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP)—and the duo fought once in an NHL game. Santini’s kids refer to Hayden as ‘Uncle John’, and Hayden is Chelsea’s godfather.
Hockey has played a central part in the Santini family. Chelsea enjoys dancing to the music during warmups and the intermissions in Syracuse, and she’s next on the list to hopefully see Santini play in the NHL.
Not even a Lightning loss on Tuesday could ruin a memorable night for the family.
“It’s like you’re seeing hockey playing for real and trying to score points more often,” Chase said of his first NHL game.
His father enjoyed it too, not hiding his wide smile as his son ran near his feet in the hallway and greeted Santini’s NHL friends near the Lightning locker room on Tuesday.
“He’s been around for six or seven seasons now, and as he gets older he’s moved to, I think, eight places we counted the other day,” Santini said of Chase. “He knows the routine. He’s watched a lot of hockey, and he’s a really good kid. I’m really proud of him.”