Robert Gaudreau has done a lot of travelling to watch his son Ben Gaudreau play hockey.
He's travelled with him to Europe, Canada, and the United States to follow and support his son's journey as a hockey goaltender.
"We were able to go to the Canada Games, the U17's, but this is at a whole new level," said Rob Gaudreau about the 2023 World Juniors.
"The atmosphere in the arena is insane. Halifax is putting together a really nice event and people are super friendly. It has been a really good experience on that end," added about his son who plays for the OHL's Sarnia Sting.
As you likely know, Ben is one of the two goaltenders playing for Team Canada at the high-profile holiday tournament. Gaudreau got lifted in his debut in Canada's lone loss 5-2 at the hands of Czechia to open the event but bounced back with a shutout as Canada ousted Austria 11-0.
See related: Gaudreau get shutout over Austria
See related: Tough start for Gaudreau in loss to Czechia
"It's a tough position because you don't know if you are going to go to the World Juniors and your son will ride the bench for the whole tournament," said Gaudreau.
"But for them, it is a very mental game, he has a lot of support in place."
This goalie dad admits the hype around the tournament is pretty overwhelming.
"The nerves certainly get you a bit," admitted Robert about Ben who was a 2021 San Jose Sharks draft pick.
"Generally speaking I do not get too worried about the games. Ben is a solid goalie, he has a decent team with him and that usually means a pretty good outcome."
However, Robert and his son saw some of the harsh criticism the Team Canada players received on social media after the opening night loss.
"It is terrible on social media what some people were saying about these kids," said Robert.
"But for every naysayer, there were four or five people jumping in and sticking up for them. They got through it and they moved on.
"They have not been restricted in their phone use and after that game, Ben told me he saw a few nasty comments on social media so he obviously checked it out, but he was also happy he got so much traffic that he got certified so I guess there is a silver lining in every cloud."
But even in the tough times, Robert says there's a good support system around even for the hockey parents. The Gaudreaus are very familiar with many of the other players' families at the event.
"It is funny because a lot of these players he has played with in summer hockey as well because we did a lot of summer hockey stuff with Ben," he said.
"A lot of the parents we have known for quite a few years and it is a really good group of people. They talk about character people and character players and that, and I really think this team is full of that. They have a lot of really good kids - even the siblings of the players are super polite and nice to talk to. They come up and sit down with you at the breakfast table and have a really nice conversation with you. Just really good families, that's all I can say."
Robert hopes to think his family is like many of the other Team Canada families. He takes pride in hearing the stories of how willing his son Ben is to talk to younger North Bay hockey players or even travel to their outdoor rink for a game of shinny when he has time.
"Ben has embraced that, it is not something I have to tell him to do," said Robert.
"That is the way it should be because nobody gets to where they are today without helping people so if you are not willing to pay some of that back I don't think you are a good person. Do we take some credit for it as parents? Maybe, but at the same time, he has to be willing to do it."
Robert also credits local goalie coach Todd Robillard for his efforts to help Ben get to where he is today.
"We certainly did not get Ben to where he is on his own," admitted Robert.
"If it has not been for a lot of people, and Todd Robillard is huge in this okay. The man has spent countless hours with our son that he has never charged us for, it is unbelievable I have always been one to say you have always got to give back."
Whether Ben gets into action again in the semifinals or possibly the finals, the Gaudreaus and Ben himself will have Canada and of course, a big North Bay area hockey family behind him in Ben's quest for World Junior gold.
See related: Is Ben Gaudreau the top sports story of 2022? You can vote HERE
