Photos courtesy of Darren Raddysh
Darren Raddysh’s 94-year-old maternal grandmother stole the show – and plenty of hearts – at a recent Tampa Bay Lightning home game.
It’s hard to deny that the true star of the Lightning’s 2-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 17 was Grandma Lorraine herself.
The nonagenarian, taking in her first NHL game, was a jumbotron staple throughout the evening, smiling and dancing while cheering on her grandson.
“It was definitely awesome,” Raddysh told NHLPA.com. “My grandparents didn’t really get to come watch my brother and me play hockey – my grandmother took care of my grandfather who was sick most of our childhood. Once my grandfather passed, she had a little more time – she got sick at one point and couldn’t travel – so coming to Tampa to watch us play was one of her dreams.
“I took her down to the ice and we took a photo on the bench. My aunt and uncle who were in Orlando at the time – she had flown to see them – they took her to Thunder Alley [Amalie Arena's main entrance plaza] and she saw my picture which is wrapped on one of the polls. She got to do some shopping and get the whole experience.”
The two spoke on the phone the day after to recap the experience.
“She called me the next day and told me it was the best night of her life.”
It was an equally special experience for the 29-year-old Raddysh, who grew up in southwestern Ontario alongside his younger brother, Taylor, 27, now a forward with the Washington Capitals.
In fact, it might just top his list of most treasured hockey moments.
“Like I said to my teammates after the game, it’s probably the most memorable game I have had playing in the NHL,” said the undrafted defenceman, who played his first NHL game on Dec. 30, 2021.
Raddysh was surprised by how much attention his grandmother received on social media.
“I was building stuff in my house – I was redoing my closet – and I put my phone for about two hours. When I picked it up, I had a bunch of messages, Instagram posts and all that stuff. I couldn’t believe it was going to get that big. It was definitely cool. I’m glad she got the spotlight a little bit. She’s a legend in our family and I am glad people got to see that.”
The experience brought back recollections of times he spent with his grandmother and grandfather long before his NHL dream became a reality.
Visits to his grandparents’ home gave Raddysh a window into his mother’s childhood days.
“My grandparents hosted almost every function for each holiday. It was always special going to see them. Their house was filled with memories that I hadn’t seen because I wasn’t born yet. So, going there and seeing photos of my mom and her sisters growing up was amazing.”
Raddysh, who played alongside his younger brother for two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters – a team that also included future NHL superstar Connor McDavid – would love to see Grandma Lorraine in the stands for another Lightning home game.
“We got a good win there, so she was a good luck charm,” said the blueliner, who signed a two-year contract extension with the Lightning, which began this season. “I guess the ultimate game for her to see would be a playoff game with me and my brother facing off against each other.”
Whether or not it happens, Raddysh is grateful his grandmother got to see him play on NHL ice – and in the process, earned hockey fan celebrity status.
“It means a lot to my family and to her to have that experience. It was special to see her there, how happy she was, and seeing her enjoying it all."
