Times were different for Ryan Stanton and Adam Clendening in 2012. It was the start of the AHL season. Stanton had already experienced a few years "on the farm" while Clendening was the new guy on the block. Rockford, Illinois became the fertile ground for a pair of defencemen trying to crack the big leagues and catch on with the Chicago Blackhawks.



Stanton and Clendening were 'D' partners. The pair even roomed together on the road. A bond was formed and it transferred to the ice, as well, with the pair finding their names on the scoresheet often. It was a part of their game that was necessary at that level: contributing offensively. While Clendening was part of the power-play plans, Stanton finished with a respectable 25 points. The pair would move up to the "show" but as black aces, during the 2013 Blackhawks cup run. Nothing would be the same after.



Stanton moved on and found a home in Vancouver and he would settle into a less offensive, more gritty based role. Clendening did not find a permanent home on the Hawks, either. Rather, he was destined to return to the IceHogs.



This is where the story becomes a story.



Stanton, who played one lone road game for the Hawks, would see his former 'D' partner start his career the same way, as their paths crossed in Vancouver. The Niagara Falls, NY native entered with one goal and one assist in his first two games, but Stanton's Canucks would have their way with the Blackhawks on that night. Clendening's recall would last only one additional game, but little did the pair know that the paths crossed in British Columbia would be a back to the future moment.



A little over three months later Canucks GM Jim Benning would acquire Clendening from Chicago, in exchange for prospect Gustav Forsling. Not only would this reunite the friends from long lost Rockford, but also their play as a pairing on the ice and a date on the calendar. February 11, 2015 - the fathers trip - Vancouver at Chicago.



Both defencemen had waited so long to skate on that United Center Ice. I'm sure images of standing on the blueline with the crowd cheering during the anthem were played over and over again in their heads. The opportunity did not arrive in Hawks colours, but it would not pass them by. They were headed back to the place they always longed to be and they were doing it together, with their dads and the Canucks.



Don Stanton and Frank Clendening looked on. The proud fathers spent time in Chicago and greeted many a former teammate of their sons, along the way. Reality was about to set in: their boys would play an NHL game in Chicago, after all! The family trees were returning to their hockey roots and each son was thrilled to have their dad by their side.



"Its such a great atmosphere. I remember watching games as a black ace and I remember getting goosebumps just listening to the anthem, so it should be pretty cool to be on the ice there for it." Reflecting on his past experience was almost a starting spot for Stanton's intensity to ratchet up. The Clendening 's were pumped, too.



"Its nice to enjoy the experience together" said Adam, after reflecting how far he and Ryan had come to enjoy a night like tonight. "Hopefully it works out with him and the Hawks get a little taste of what he can do...this is a loud building, you'll enjoy this folks, its special" the words of Frank Clendening, who could not contain his excitement to see his son play on stage that is the MadHouse on Madison.



The night would be capped off in dramatic fashion. Overtime loomed for the Canucks and Hawks, tied at four. The fathers and their sons would celebrate after Daniel Sedin finished it, giving the Canucks the win and the former Hawks hands a chance to fist pump.



The stars aligned and two hard working defencemen, who had mutual friendship and respect before meeting in Vancouver, were able to play out a dream that started when they turned pro and have their fathers look on with proud smiles, as well.



Maybe that's how it was supposed to happen, after all.