Tie Domi and Jeff Chychrun’s most memorable fight came during a 1990 exhibition game in Orlando, Florida, when Domi was a member of the New York Rangers and Chychrun of the archrival Philadelphia Flyers.
As the two went head-to-head during one of the last golden ages for NHL enforcers, Domi absorbed a couple of right hands to the head before making a mocking pouty face at Chychrun.
It is unlikely that either player imagined that 26 years later their families would be singing Christmas carols together.
“We sing a mean O Holy Night,” Chychrun said.
The unlikely holiday festivities came at the home of Domi’s son, Arizona Coyotes forward Max Domi, whose roommate in his four-bedroom Scottsdale house is his rookie teammate Jakob Chychrun, who is Jeff’s son.
The living arrangement between the young teammates has unexpectedly nurtured a strong connection between two families whose patriarchs once meted out on-ice justice before developing their sons into two of the NHL’s top young players.
Domi, only 21 and in his second NHL season, has taken it upon himself to host some of his younger teammates at the house. As a result, his hosting skills — as well as a personal chef who comes by to prepare meals — have earned raves from teammates.
“He’s honestly the best host,” said Jakob Chychrun, an 18-year-old defenceman, who was taken 16th in the draft in June. “He takes pride in it. My mom even complimented him on his hosting abilities.”
Chychrun started the season living in a hotel. But when he passed the nine-game threshold for a junior player to earn a roster spot, the team suggested that he move out of the hotel and find more permanent lodging. Arizona coach Dave Tippett suggested that he live with Domi, who bought his house last summer.
“I was asked about it, and right away I was pretty quick to say, ‘Yeah, I’d love to have him,’ ” Domi said. “He’s a great kid and very easy to have, and a great family, too. The friendship has definitely taken off since then.
“We’re pretty close. He’s a great kid, and we’re learning a lot from each other and trying to build this thing together and have fun and just keep pushing each other along the way.”
The two teammates’ friendship was beginning to blossom by the time their families spent Thanksgiving together. The two clans got along well, as their fathers, who had exchanged punches years ago, exchanged holiday pleasantries instead.
“When Tie and I met, it was almost like we’d known each other for a long time,” said Jeff Chychrun, who retired in 1994. “I think we’re all so happy that our kids were able to get to the next level.”
The two families reunited for Christmas. It was the first time, Jeff Chychrun said, that he had spent Christmas somewhere other than Ottawa, his hometown. Max’s mother, Leanne, prepared Christmas dinner, and her boyfriend, Troy, made breakfast the next morning.
Jeff Chychrun arrived with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Taylor, who established an instant rapport with Tie Domi’s daughters, Carlyn and Avery.
“Those three hit it off pretty good, talking about school and, I don’t know, whatever girls talk about — clothes,” Max Domi said. “His mom is really outgoing and really funny and cool, too. My mom and her text all the time. Everyone gets along.”
Tie Domi and Jeff Chychrun’s previous meetings had typically occurred under more ominous circumstances. Chychrun said he still remembered the league’s balance of gladiatorial power shifting with the 1990 arrival of Domi, who finished his NHL career with 333 fights, more than anyone else in league history.
“Tie made an impact almost immediately in that Patrick Division when he broke in with the Rangers,” Jeff Chychrun said. “We were all kind of young then. Tie could play. He made people accountable, he stuck up for his teammates, and he put the puck in the net. He was a really good hockey player.”
Hockey is not frequently discussed during Domi-Chychrun family affairs, but it inevitably becomes a topic of conversation, particularly the glaring differences in playing style between generations. Whereas Jeff Chychrun and Tie Domi used physicality and intimidation to establish themselves as NHL players, their sons have done it with speed and puck handling.
For their fathers, the change is not just acknowledged, it is encouraged in a league that has phased out the enforcer’s role.
Tie Domi took issue with his son’s fight Dec. 8 against Garnet Hathaway of the Calgary Flames. Max Domi broke his hand in the melee and was sidelined for several weeks.
“I protected superstars,” Tie Domi said. “He’s the leading scorer on the team, and he fought a fourth-line guy. These kids need to learn from their experiences, and Max learned a tough lesson breaking his hand. He can’t fight. It’s just not part of the game, really.”
The Chychruns and the Domis did not have to wait long after Christmas to renew pleasantries. Jeff and Tie joined the team Thursday in Arizona for a game against the Chicago Blackhawks before embarking on the annual dads trip, which will take them to San Jose for a game against the Sharks on Saturday. As luck would have it, the trip came just as Max Domi returned from his injury.
The families have not taken the time to watch video of Jeff Chychrun and Tie Domi’s 1990 battle, which is readily available online. But the thought of these two friendly families taking a break from their Christmas festivities to enjoy a viewing of the on-ice scrap certainly brought a grin to Jakob Chychrun’s face.
“We should have pulled it up and watched it,” he said with a laugh. “It would have been pretty funny.”
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