Lightning?s Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan Forge Strong Bond as Friends, Teammates

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

http://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20171101/ARTICLE/311019448/AR/0/AR-311019448.jpg

 

The Callahans and Girardis live in the same Davis Islands neighborhood, their kids trick-or-treating together Tuesday night. You see, Callahan, 32, a Lightning wing, and Girardi, 33, a defenseman, are more family than friends.

 

They’ve been attached at the hip since being teenage teammates in juniors for Guelph. They played, and lived, together with AHL Hartford and for several years with the Rangers before getting reunited in Tampa Bay when Girardi signed a two-year, $6 million free agent deal during the summer. It didn’t take them long to pick up where they had left off after Callahan was traded to the Lightning in the 2013-14 season.

 

"Our family is more organized, always planning things," Girardi said. "(The Callahans are) just kind of the ‘follow-the-leader’ people. That’s why we work well together. They’re like, ‘What are you guys doing? Okay, we’re coming.’?"

 

As Callahan and Girardi prepared to face the Rangers tonight at Amalie Arena, they reflected on the bond — and path — they’ve experienced. The Girardis are godparents to the Callahans’ youngest daughter, Evelyn, 2. The families vacation together a week each summer in Callahan’s hometown, Rochester, N.Y.

 

"It’s something you don’t see very much," Callahan said. "It’s always nice to have someone close on your team, especially with families. To be able to come full circle and play together again, it’s pretty special."

 

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/Lightning-s-Dan-Girardi-Ryan-Callahan-forge-strong-bond-as-friends-teammates_162231518

[sg3]

Looking forward to both of them playing in Lightning old timers contests in late 2018

[Respecttheblue]

Looking forward to both of them playing in Lightning old timers contests in late 2018

 

LOL

Sad but could be true.

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

Right now they are alive and well and thriving in Tampa.

[Phil]

Alive and well (enough). Thriving is a stretch.

 

 

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[Dunny]

Nobody employs 6 really good D-men. @ 3 Million/year Girardi is just fine and you could certainly do worse.

 

Callahan, on the other hand, as Josh has pointed out, has ONE goal this year and whopping 17 goals in his past 160 games. By any definition it's a truly terrible contract that almost certainly can't even be jettisoned by eating the max salary via trade.

[sg3]

Right now they are alive and well and thriving in Tampa.

Yep

 

Cally's huge one goal and Girardi's masterful defensive prowess are beyond question the def of "thriving"

[SaveByRichter35]

This article is very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Parsley]

The only thing thriving are their bank accounts.

 

 

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[fletch]

best friends... cue the rainbows and unicorns.

 

Too bad they are shells of their former selves on the ice.

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

Yep

 

Cally's huge one goal and Girardi's masterful defensive prowess are beyond question the def of "thriving"

 

 

Yes. You have it correctomondo, amigo.

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

This article is very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

 

As always, my pleasure. Factual as well.

[phillyb]

Where is the article? You posted a link to a picture.

 

 

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[josh]

Where is the article? You posted a link to a picture.

 

 

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and it's a picture of a Callahan turnover. :rofl:

[SaveByRichter35]

As always, my pleasure. Factual as well.

 

I bet it is.

[Rangers4Life]

As always, my pleasure. Factual as well.

 

Yes, nothing more interesting than a picture of Callahan turning the puck over. Definitely factual as well.

[Abe Froman]

Girardi and Callahan. A.k.a. Grit and Moxie.

 

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[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

Yeah. Callahan battling THREE Penguins and they are having trouble containing him because of his grit, determination and moxie. The only thing missing from the pic is D.G.

[sg3]

Yeah. Callahan battling THREE Penguins and they are having trouble containing him because of his grit, determination and moxie. The only thing missing from the pic is D.G.

Thankfully he is missing from the Rangers too.

 

Callamoxie's one YUUUGE goal this season would have us in first place for sure[emoji27]

[phillyb]

Thanks for posting the article.

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

^ You bet.

[Phil]

:tweet: @TBTimes_JSmith: Looks like Ryan Callahan is a surprise scratch here for #tblightning, along with Sustr and Coburn. Conacher and Brown in

 

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Thriving... from the press box?

 

 

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[Mike]

:tweet: @TBTimes_JSmith: Looks like Ryan Callahan is a surprise scratch here for #tblightning, along with Sustr and Coburn. Conacher and Brown in

 

--

 

Thriving... from the press box?

 

 

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His grit and moxie will assist in him dominating the buffet in the booth.

[Bugg]

His grit and moxie will assist in him dominating the buffet in the booth.

 

He's gonna stare down some chicken tenders like nobody's business.

[josh]

You know we need a good effort, need guys skating. And hustling, winning those 1 on 1 battles, get the pucks deep and hopefully put the puck in the net.