With 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.

Nick Schultz

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It’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.

Taylor Leier58

Pierre-Edouard

Bellemare

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Chris VandeVelde’s son, Levin, opens a gift from Santa!

During 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.

Chris

VandeVelde

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The 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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Steve Mason

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Claude 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.

Christmas has always

been a cherished

holiday for the

Mason family. So much so,

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.

Claude Giroux

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Claude Giroux and girlfriend Ryanne Breton sporting matching Christmas outfits with their puppy Harvey.

A Gingerbread house masterpiece made by Claude Giroux and Ryanne along with Matt and Erin Read.

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Every 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 Schenn22

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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Christmas 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.

Every 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.

Shayne Gostisbehere

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Jakub Voracek

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Jakub Voracek and girlfriend Nicole Warnecke are all smiles at last year’s Flyers Holiday Skate.

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The 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,

Pop-Pop Laughton gives hilarious gifts

that always become the family’s source

of entertainment for the night.

When 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.

Scott Laughton

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Michael !"

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For 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.

Dave Hakstol

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THANKSGIVE

Taking time to give and

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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 home-cooked 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

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.

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