“I didn't think they'd be able to make it with my dad coaching but my mom and dad are coming in today. It will be fun,” Thompson said. “I think he talked to their staff and they're like, 'Hey, you've got to go watch your son play his first game.' I'm very fortunate for that. It will be a really cool feeling to have them here.”

Thompson said he thought having his parents on hand would make it seem like a more normal game for him. His father gave him some advice about the day.

“You only get one first game, so enjoy it,” he said, “This is the only time this will happen for me, don't let the nerves get to you. Channel it, turn it into some good energy, play the right way.

"It's just another game, you belong there, go out and have fun. You deserve it. I'm really excited for this one. I probably didn't get the greatest sleep last night, thinking about it night and day. Once the puck drops, the nerves will go away, and it's just another game, just on a bigger scale.”

Dunn's parents and one set of grandparents are coming in from the Toronto area for the game. “It's the first game they've seen in a while now,” Dunn said. “They did (come to Chicago last season) a couple times, but both my parents work, so it's hard with the weekday games. It will be nice to know they're out there watching me.”