If there were a bunch of middle-aged men in the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room Wednesday, it must have meant only one thing.

The Penguins’ annual Dads’ Trip was about to get underway.

In a tradition dating back several years, the Penguins designate one short, multiple-game road trip and invite players’ fathers along.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 15, 2020

“It’s a great opportunity for guys to appreciate things our fathers did for us when we were kids,” wing Brandon Tanev said. “I feel that’s a big aspect of hockey — family. And it’s awesome that management and ownership has done that for us here.”

Tanev, in his first season with the Penguins, said his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, had one Dads’ Trip during his four-plus seasons there.

Juuso Riikola passed through airport security at the same time as Phil Bourque...

New media: *takes photos*Riikola: *sees camera*Riikola: "That's not my Dad!"

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— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 15, 2020

The Penguins’ history with the Dads’ Trip dates to the Dan Bylsma era. Fathers of players are given access to pretty much everything — team meetings, travel with the team on the plane and bus, team meals.

They, of course, are given suite tickets to the games. The Penguins play Thursday at the Boston Bruins and Friday at the Detroit Red Wings. The team, accompanied by several fathers, left Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s fun,” goalie Tristan Jarry said. “It’s always fun to bring them along and have fun. They get to see what we go through every day and what we do. (Jarry’s father) never really gets to see that too often, so it’s always fun having them around.“

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