SAN JOSE – Some of the most memorable footage from the 2016 NHL All-Star weekend didn't come from a professional video camera. It came from a GoPro that was fashioned on a helmet atop young Nate Pavelski's head.
The pint-sized skater, son of Sharks captain and All-Star skater Joe Pavelski, took the ice on the evening of the NHL Skill's Competition with Brent Burns' son, Jagger. The camera captured the Sharks' sons connecting to score a goal and then skating down a high-five line comprised of the weekend's All-Stars – some of the biggest names in the game.
Jump forward three years, and the All-Star festivities are taking place in San Jose – and Joe Pavelski is once again representing the Pacific Division.
Will Pavelski's son be participating in the fun this year?
"We'll see if he gets out there or not," Pavelski said to NBC Sports California with a smile. "There's no real plan, but he likes to talk about it."
Although the All-Star weekend festivities have only just gotten underway, it's pretty clear this is a family-friendly affair. Not just for fans, but for the players and their kids as well.
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"The NHL, they always do a great job for us as players," said Sharks' defenseman Brent Burns, who said he planned on taking his own kids to the fan fair. "The (Players Association) they do everything to make this a great weekend for us and our families."
Outside of the actual game – or rather, three-on-three tournament – the vibe on All-Star weekend is a very relaxed one. Who can forget Erik Karlsson and his fellow countryman Victor Hedman showing up to last year's Skills Competition dressed as pirates?
So while there doesn't appear to be a set plan yet to get the Sharks players' kids out there, it sounds like something that's a possibility.
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Pavelski said he was excited about the possibility of his son being involved in the festivities now that he's a few years older and it actively follows a lot of the players participating in All-Star weekend.
"Nate's eight years old now and he watches these guys play and he talks about them," Pavelski said. "He plays NHL 19 so he always knows who we're going to play next. He's excited to meet some of them."
Whether the younger Pavelski and Burns have a repeat performance at this year's All-Star weekend or not, the Sharks' representatives are still enjoying hosting festivities in their city.
"We're excited to host in our hometown," Pavelski said. "We know what San Jose has to offer and we're excited for this event to be here."
