Riliegh McHugh watching her dad play for the first time since she was six-years-old “brought tears to my eyes”

Editor’s note: former Chocolate Hockey correspondent Riliegh McHugh returned to Friday night to watch her father, former Bears captain and Calder Cup Champion Mike McHugh, play in the 2018 Outdoor Classic Alumni Game. She penned this piece for us to share with you. Enjoy!

The last time I watched my dad play I was six-years-old. Honestly, I don’t really remember much. He was “The Mike McHugh?! Like the former captain of the Bears? That’s your dad!?”

“Yeah,” I would always nonchalantly respond.

Mainly what I remember from his playing days was begging for cotton candy and Coco the Bear; you know, little kid priorities.

When my dad told me he was playing in the Alumni Outdoor Classic this year I told him I had to fly back for it. The last one he played in I had to miss because of college. There was no chance I was going to miss this one.

My father is 52 years-old and to see that grin on his face during Friday’s game brought tears to my eyes. On the ice, he appeared 20-something and more athletic than most 20-somethings I know. He was all over the place and putting himself in positions to score, which he did. Twice.

He had been training for this game for the past two months. He was playing pick-up twice a week at Twin Ponds East and going to hot pilates (a surprisingly challenging workout) to prepare his body for the physical toll that is the Alumni Outdoor Classic.

My family wanted to surprise him with two fatheads to make him laugh during the game. Mission accomplished.

If you saw my family in the crowd, you definitely heard us screaming every time he was on the ice. To have us all together and to see him score was one of the best moments my family has shared.

So, yes my dad is “The Mike McHugh, the former captain of the Bears,” and after Friday night’s Alumni Outdoor Classic it’s apparent he’s still got it.