Reinhardt Christmas includes time in the barn

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This article was published 23/12/2019 (2325 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Cole Reinhardt’s Christmas tradition involves one little step that city boys couldn’t imagine.

The 19-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings forward from Irricana, Alta., heads home to see his sister and parents Doug and Shauna on the farm, where they keep horses.

Naturally food is a big part of Christmas morning, but so is the work.

“Every morning my mom makes this breakfast casserole,” Reinhardt said. “Then she makes these homemade cinnamon buns with dough balls for breakfast. At home we have breakfast and then go and clean the barn and then come inside and open presents.”

After one final Western Hockey League victory over the Winnipeg Ice on Dec. 17, Brandon players fanned out across North America for a nine-day break between games.

Each has his own unique family traditions.

“On my dad’s side, we usually go to my grandparents’ house, which is 10 minutes down the road,” Reinhardt said. “We usually do that on the 27th but since I’m kind of interfering with that we do it before Christmas now.”

Ridly Greig, whose parents are former National Hockey League player Mark and his mother Cindy, also has two older sisters, Kyra and Dara.

Hockey certainly is a big part of the family. Kyra is in her third year with the hometown Lethbridge Pronghorns, while Dara is in her rookie season with the Wisconsin Badgers, where she plays with Brandonite Kristen Campbell.

“We have a pond in our backyard so maybe we’ll wake up and open the presents and then probably play some pondies for a couple of hours,” Greig said. “Then early in the evening we go over to my auntie’s place and have a nice big family dinner.”

Jonny Lambos, whose parents are Steve and Simone, will have a chance to spend time with his brother Carson, the outstanding rookie defenceman with the Winnipeg Ice.

They also will have some family visiting from Vernon, B.C.

“My little cousin just started playing hockey so we’ll probably go to the outdoor rink with him,” Lambos said. “Other than that, it’s lots of eating and getting some rest.”

They’ll spend Christmas Eve with his dad’s side of the family and Christmas Day with his mom’s side.

Both events, which will be held at the homes of grandparents, are late afternoon meals with that entire side of the family there.

“My grandma is Greek and her cooking is really good,” Lambos said. “I’m looking forward to that.”

His favourites are her spanakopita and her desserts such as baklava.

Goaltender Jiri Patera will spend his third Christmas in North America after first playing the 2017-18 season with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and then moving to Brandon for the last two seasons.

On Dec. 19, Patera flew to Chicago, where his great uncle lives. He’ll meet his mom Dagmar there: She flew out on Dec. 18.

“I really appreciate that he is letting me and my mom stay there,” Patera said. “It will be nice to be with part of my family.”

Back in the Czech Republic prior to Patera coming to North America, the family, which also includes Patera’s similarly named father Jiri, would celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24.

“In the evening we would have a family dinner,” Patera said. “It’s a specific type of food that I really like and I hope my mom will make it this Christmas. I can’t wait for that. We usually open up Christmas presents after supper and then the next day is like a regular day again.”

The evening would include Patera’s paternal grandparents, his parents, his aunt and uncles and cousins.

“We have a big family so it was a full house,” Patera said.

After the holiday ends, Patera’s mom is flying back to Brandon with him. He’s especially thankful for the time he will have with her and his extended family.

“I appreciate the time that I can spend with my family because the last three years I didn’t get to spend Christmas back home,” Patera said. “I usually like to spend it with my grandparents. It’s a little bit different. I obviously miss them but I’m 20 years old and an adult now so I’m kind of getting used to it. It will be nice to spend time with my mom and my great uncle. It’s always nice to see those faces.”

Even though he only lives two hours from home, Lambos feels the same way.

“It’s not as much about the presents for sure,” Lambos said. “It’s just getting to spend some time with my family and my brother and friends at home.”

Jonny and Carson chat by phone every couple of days, and will get to spend some quality time together after the holidays with the Wheat Kings and Ice facing each other again on Dec. 27 and 28.

Greig, whose favourite Christmas food is sweet potatoes, is also happy to have the break. He knows what he’s looking more forward to again.

“It’s probably just going home and seeing the family,” Greig said. “I haven’t seen them in a while so I’ll probably just enjoy family time.”

Reinhardt echoes that sentiment.

“Since being in the league, it’s just seeing friends and catching up with them while you’re back,” Reinhardt said. “During the year you get pretty separated from them. It’s seeing your family and friends.”

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GREETINGS TO WHEAT KINGS FANS

Cole Reinhardt

“Thanks for all your support. All of us players appreciate everyone in the building every game. It means a lot to us. Merry Christmas.”

Jiri Patera

“They should enjoy their Christmas. We appreciate all the support they give us by coming to our games and cheering for us. They should be thankful for spending time with their families and be healthy.”

Jonny Lambos

“Thanks for all the support. This half of the season it’s been great having lots of fans in the seats for home games. I wish you all the best this holiday season.”

Ridly Greig

“Thanks for coming out and supporting us. Have a good Christmas.”