Pat Connolly was awake early, waiting for the text message from his son, Brett.
He woke up at 2 a.m. at his home on Byng Avenue and it was close to 5 a.m. by the time Pat found out he can go ahead and book his travel plans to Buffalo.
Brett, the 18-year-old Prince George Cougars captain, was named Wednesday to Team Canada for the world junior hockey tournament in Buffalo, N.Y.
"It was pretty nerve-wracking," said Pat. "He said he'd text us as soon as he knew and by quarter to five he still hadn't called. I started thinking, maybe he made it, or, he didn't make it and he's not calling. He texted us at five to five, our time, with news he's made the team."
Pat and his wife Dawn knew Brett had a good shot at making the cut for the 22-player roster, but the uncertainty the past few days of not knowing for sure was tough on them.
"It's hard to believe, I've grown up watching that tournament since I can remember and I can't imagine having a kid playing in it," said Pat. "He was pretty nervous, he didn't sleep at all the last two nights. He dozed off just before they knocked on his door."
The timing of the world junior tournament presents an unfortunate conflict for the Connolly family. Brett's first game is on Boxing Day against the Russians, the same day 15-year-old Josh Connolly, Brett's brother, will be playing in Calgary at the Mac's major midget hockey tournament.Josh is a defenceman for the Prince George-based Cariboo Cougars, who face Beardy's Blackhawks of Saskatchewan in their opening game.
"It's a good problem to have," said Pat.
"I'll spend a couple days in Calgary and watch a couple of Josh's games," said Pat. "I'll miss the Canada-Russia game then fly to Buffalo on the 27th, and hopefully they will meet us in Buffalo.
"Dawn is going to stay in Calgary until Josh is finished."
That might not be until New Year's Day, if the Cariboo Cougars make the Mac's final.
Pat's brother lives in Toronto, a 70-minute drive from Buffalo, and that's where he'll be staying. Although Buffalo is in close proximity to one of the most densely-populated areas in Canada, Pat was reassured by Team Canada staff there won't be any problem for the Connolly family getting tickets to Canada's games.
