The road to this night has been perhaps a longer one than Kirby had hoped, working through concussion protocol following the final game of last month's Traverse City Prospect Tournament, in turn missing the entire slate of preseason games. On the outside, he's projected a mature confidence in the process, but his parents know it's been a trying few weeks to get to this point.
"He's been anxious. He's been itching to play and I think tonight's going to really help him," Dale said. "I know he played a few with Rockford but right now, I think this is really going to help him calm down a bit and get into his stride."
As Dach took the ice and a spot on the blue line for Jim Cornelison's iconic anthem, the forward was seen staring down, almost deep in thought, not letting the spectacle overwhelm what lied moments ahead.
"I kind of try to take everything one second at a time, one step at a time and just stay focused on myself, but obviously you've got a little butterflies in your stomach when the anthem is going and you're standing on the blue line looking around," admitted Kirby. "It was good. The nerves kind of can help sometimes and sometimes they hinder your performance, but I tried to do my best not to be nervous."
"Usually that's his M.O. He almost meditates through the national anthem, gets really focused. That's what he does," offered Dale from years of watching the young forward from the stands. "As for us, it was pretty cool experience. Just seeing the support that the Chicago Blackhawk fans have and the history here is just amazing. This building is going to be an amazing place for him to settle in."
