Most days, Jay Harrison is a rugged, physical defenseman for the Canes.
Tonight, he's simply Santa. And a pretty brave Santa, at that.
Harrison said his oldest daughter, Presley, will be getting a set of drums, which will require some Christmas Eve assembly. Considering Presley is 3, that should certainly make the Harrison house more lively than it already is.
"Absolutely, but that's the way we like it," Harrison said, smiling. "I like to be involved with Christmas. It's an important time of year, especially for us hockey players who have moved around quite a bit and have spent Christmases on different continents.
"To be home and have family around is really special. It's really important to get into it 100 percent and get the most out of it."
With home games before and after Christmas this year, the Canes have more time at home than usual. Some of the players lean on their wives to get a lot of the Christmas shopping done, especially with all the early season travel. But some like to shop and pick up gifts for their wives and kids while on the road.
"You can keep it secret a little bit that way," Harrison said. "You have a little time to think and come up with something special as opposed to just running around."
Eric Staal is one of those who said he shops on the road for his wife, Tanya. "On-line also helps," he said with a laugh.
Staal said he and Tanya did get a baby-sitter for son Parker one day and shopped together.
"We went out and looked for a few toys for the little guy," Staal said. "We're excited for him to open that together. He may not fully understand everything but I know he's going to think it's pretty awesome having everybody there, with family coming in."
Staal said there would be an early start in the Staal home on Christmas morning. "Parker's always up at 7 so we will be too," he said.
Patrick Dwyer and his wife, Ashley, have a young son and a baby daughter was born in September. Dwyer said everything is set for a big Christmas.
"No late-night Christmas Eve assembly needed," he said with a relieved smile. "Maybe a little Christmas-morning assembly but nothing that takes a lot of construction. We'll put the kids to bed Christmas Eve, wrap the gifts up and bake some cookies."
And feel blessed to be home with loved ones.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
