Pittsburgh Review

During a past Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Dads Trip, Mike Acciari recounted an incident involving his son Noel on their way to a youth hockey game. Their minivan was rear-ended, and Noel sustained a cut on his nose from a TV screen. Despite the accident, Noel insisted on playing the game. "I said, we’re barely going to make it home with the car like it is. He started to cry. He wanted to play that game so bad," Mike recalled.

Kevin Hayes and his father were among those who witnessed the aftermath of the accident. Kevin remembered seeing Noel determinedly walking into the rink despite his injury: "I was like, Oh my God, that's the Acciaris! So, we pull up into the rink, and Noel is walking into the rink with his bag on his shoulder, blood coming down his face."

Kevin Sr., who also attended this year's Dads Trip, reflected on that day: "We were driving by... Noely is maybe one of my favorite kids ever... You see Noely running... we just cleaned him up and he played."

Hayes and Acciari shared several years as teammates with South Shore Kings in New England during their youth. Now both are veterans in the National Hockey League (NHL), living near each other in Boston during summers and reuniting in Pittsburgh this season.

"I ran into his mom this summer in the Seaport with Noel," Kevin mentioned about rekindling connections between their families.

Mike expressed disbelief at their current situation: “They’ve played against each other for the past six, eight years in the NHL... wouldn't it be nice if they played together?”

Reflecting on how far they've come since childhood games and accidents, Kevin Sr. commented on seeing them together again: “it’s surreal… just brings a million smiles thinking about it.”

Noel's early talent led Kevin Sr. to approach Mike after an intense youth game where tensions had been high among parents: “He said to me… I was sent to tell you we want Noel to play on South Shore Kings.” This move significantly impacted Noel's development.

Their close bond extended beyond hockey; Hayes noted Acciari’s basketball skills from growing up under different circumstances than himself in Dorchester while spending weekends at each other's homes during games or tournaments outside Rhode Island—like Quebec’s PeeWee tournament where homesickness hit hard but strengthened friendship bonds further still today!

Looking back now as professionals who have faced off numerous times over years since parting ways post-high school/college careers yet maintaining respect admiration intact throughout transitions onto bigger stages within sport itself:

“Convinced I'm still only guy NHL hasn't hit,” joked Kevin reflecting upon friendly rivalry continuing unabated even amidst new chapters unfolding before eyes every season anew; meanwhile highlighting qualities admired most deeply such humility genuineness embodied consistently throughout journey thus far traveled together alongside supportive families cheering sidelines always proudest moments shared alike regardless outcome achieved ultimately overall experiences gained along way equally cherished dearly indeed truly priceless indeed!