EDMONTON — Rob Suggitt is sitting in front of the computer in his stylish, hockey-adorned, downtown Edmonton office. The President and CEO of Suggitt Publishers is tapping out some final thoughts for a blog that took one month to complete.
“I’d write a report and post lots of photos – because people seem to like the photos – and update and give a report on every city that I’ve gone to.”
On Saturday, April 11 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Suggitt concluded an incredible hockey adventure.
“I loved every minute of it. It’s honestly the trip of a lifetime!”
The hockey fanatic saw 30 National Hockey League games, in 30 different cities, in 30 consecutive nights. He came up with the idea almost 10 years ago and took the amazing trip this spring.
“I mapped it out just after the the lockout season, changed my mind, said ‘next year.’ Did the same thing years and years running in a row. And then finally I got to this year and said ‘I’m going to do it.’ And I stuck with the plan. Didn’t procrastinate this time.”
READ MORE: Edmonton hockey fan to see 30 NHL games in 30 nights
The 53-year-old was born and grew up in Lindsay, Ontario – near Peterborough – but cheered for the Montreal Canadiens. His family moved to Edmonton in the 1970s and Suggitt changed his allegiance to the Oilers in the 80s.
“I didn’t jump on the bandwagon. I was cheering for them when they went up against the Islanders and challenging. And it was great to be in Edmonton, as we all know, during the mid-80s.”
Suggitt wanted to find out what that feeling might be like in the 29 other NHL cities and arenas during the new millennium, so he started his journey in Long Island on March 13.
“It took a lot of preparation. I went through everything.”
“I kind of trained myself mentally – if you can do that – what I’m going to have to do every day. Wake up, usually pretty darn early, at five or six o’clock. Get up, get ready. Do your check list. Don’t leave anything behind, because you can’t leave a passport behind. None of that can happen. Even your phone is so valuable for a trip like this.”
A trek Suggitt paid for entirely by himself.
“It probably equates real close to what the best seats at Rexall (Place) would cost for a season ticket.”
In other words, a lot of money. But the memories for this ultimate hockey fan are, of course, priceless.
“And I think to myself, what enjoyment I got, I got a pretty good bang for my buck.”
Get breaking National news
So did Make-A-Wish Canada.
“That’s what really made me not procrastinate. Because when I met them in the fall, talked to them about my crazy idea for a trip, they loved it. And right away we started brainstorming and we came up with an idea to do a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.”
In keeping with the theme of the trip, Suggitt set out to raise $30,000 for the charitable organization. Make-A-Wish helps grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. He achieved that goal and donations continue to come in.
“The last two days were magical. Honda made a big presentation. Molson’s made a big presentation around their ‘Anything for Hockey’ campaign and put me way over the top. And today, and we’re still not done, there’s some stuff trickling in, people can still donate. We’re sitting at $43,000.”
WATCH: Edmonton man hits 30 NHL games in 30 nights
Suggitt was also sitting with a wonderful view during the trip. He saw every arena around the league and the entertainment experience the teams try to provide.
“Any of the downtown arenas are just awesome,” he said, “just because of the energy before the game and after the game.”
Which seems to bode well for the Oilers and their downtown opportunity.
“We’ve got a lot to be excited about.”
In Suggitt’s final blog report he ranks the arenas.
“Madison Square Garden is absolutely beautiful. They spent about a billion dollars just on a renovation. Columbus was up there. That was trip number 29 for me and I really enjoyed that rink. The fans are awesome there. Chicago’s great – the United Centre. When they sing the national anthem and the fans just make all that noise it’s deafening – it’s goose bumps stuff. Nashville surprised me – another downtown arena. And the last one I’m going to mention is Winnipeg.
“Winnipeg just blew me away. I know that’s a hockey city for sure.
“It’s a smaller rink as far as capacity, but they make as much noise as any of the louder rinks. And the fans there – I would say in all my visits, everybody was great – but the Winnipeg fans,” Suggitt said while raising an expressive arm, “are just one step, one step above as far as friendliness.”
He tried to sample some of the trademark food at each venue, like the Philly Cheese Steak in Philadelphia or the Jumbo Jet Dog in Winnipeg.
“A Jumbo Jet Dog is that long,” he said with his arms about two feet apart, “and it’s loaded with cheese and perogies. So I ate a quarter of that.”
Ironically, Suggitt lost eight pounds during it all. But he gained an immense amount of arena perspective. He received first-hand experience in customer service at 30 different arenas. Especially when he received the royal treatment during game number 27 in Washington. Suggitt got to watch the players warm up behind the scenes, he sat in a luxury suite with Capitals’ owner Ted Leonsis and met Head Coach Barry Trotz after the game.
“Washington was one of those ones later in the trip where they rolled out the red carpet for me. That happened so often during my trip – really not expected, but it was real special when it happened.”
Rob’s excursion ended in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs entertaining Montreal. On Hockey Night in Canada. He had a lengthy conversation with Leafs President Brendan Shanahan before the original six match-up.
“I thought it was just like ‘hello how you doing?’ No, it was 10 or 15 minutes that I could talk hockey with these guys. Brendan Shanahan asking me what things I saw in different arenas that really impressed me. And knowing that he’s a hockey guy and knowing that he’s been to all of these different arenas. But he wanted, I guess, to get my opinion on some of the things that stood out for me. I thought it was really cool.”
What’s even cooler is Suggitt’s travelogue. He took the plane 28 times, road the train once and rented a car twice.
“An average day was getting up at five in the morning and getting into the next town around three or four, sometimes early, sometimes pushing it a little bit later. And then putting my head in my pillow at 1:00 am. It’s crazy,” he said, laughing.
Sixty-three flight hours, 38,000 kilometres, and he never missed an opening face-off.
“I was actually shocked that I was able to make the puck drop for all 30 games.”
He made an effort to mingle with and get to know the fans in other arenas. He saw the first six games with his wife, but Suggitt was all by himself for most of the rest.
“I’ve got to tell you, at any different arena,” he said, pausing, “it’s corny, but I never felt lonely. I felt like I was with people I knew at every single rink. Even if it was just me at that rink.”
During the day of the final game in Toronto, Suggitt got to watch the Leafs and Canadiens take their morning skate, he was treated to a tour at the Hockey Hall of Fame and league offices. In fact, the NHL also presented him with a sterling silver commemorative puck.
“At the end of my NHL tour, the fellow that took me around all day said ‘Rob, on behalf of the NHL we have a little something for you. We think you’re a number one fan of hockey. And we really admire the way you’re supporting the game we love. And we’ve got something for you.'”
Opening a Tiffany and Company bag, Suggitt proudly pulled out a box with a carefully packed puck.
“I just opened it up and I probably had a tear in my eye.”
The memento was the crowning touch on a trip that made one hockey fan feel like a king – a position of distinction not a player in Los Angeles. His throne was in the arenas of 30 different cities in 30 consecutive nights.
“No matter where I sat, it wasn’t always the best seats in the house, but they were always pretty good seats, I felt like I was in heaven.”
You can read Suggitt’s blog at 30games-30nights.com.
Comments