The Blackhawks were in Toronto on November 22nd, and scheduled to fly back to Chicago for an off-day the next day, when they learned that general manager Dale Tallon's father had died. There was a wake the next day, and according to an email sent to Deadspin, "back in the locker room a vote is taken after the game was complete, and a unanimous decision is made by this young team to skip this flight and stay one more day," so that they could be with their GM and his family.

Instead of having their day off, the entire team took a bus ride to Gravenhurst.

"It was important for the whole organization to go up there," Patrick Kane told the Ottawa Citizen. "It wasn't just the team, it was the whole front office, and it was a nice gesture. (Tallon) was going through some tough times. Both my grandfathers died and that was pretty tough on me, and I can't imagine it being your dad. It was really good for us, going up there to show him a little bit of respect. It was only four hours out of our time when he needed it.

"I think it went a long way. I know I've talked to (Tallon's) daughters and they really appreciated what we did for them. I think it goes a long way when the whole organization goes."

Then, starving, before heading on their way back to Pearson airport for the flight home, they did what any hungry traveller (or junior hockey team) would do: they grabbed some fast food. "To the shock of the patrons and workers at this small hockey town McDonald's, a professional team walks out of two rickety buses and into the restaurant," writes the Deadspin emailer, who also notes the posters of Kane and Jonathan Toews that were plastered on the wall as part of McDonalds' hockey card promotion. Evidently this is noteworthy because it's an unusual experience for guys on a US-based hockey team.

Off-season acquisition Brian Campbell is another Hawk who was eager go, and to praise his organization. He tells the Citizen: "I think (Blackhawks president John McDonough) has done a really good job here of treating everybody like a family. We're really close in the locker-room, whether it's the coaches or trainers or anybody, so it was one of those things where we just spent a day off up there. We all got to stay in Toronto, so there was a chance to see some family and friends, and then we took a little ride up there. More than anything, I think (the family) appreciated it and it made their day a little bit easier.

"For us players, our dads did a lot for us to get us to where we are. It was good, it was another kind of team thing that we did."

Is it just me or is it kind of hard not to like this team?