Ben Street credits his father, Dr. Rob Street, for teaching him a valuable life lesson when it comes to leaving the office where it belongs.

At the office.

“You’ve got to give him credit,” the rookie Calgary Flames centre said on the morning of the biggest game (thus far) of his life Saturday night at Rogers Arena. “He never brought work home with him. There was some pretty tragic stuff that would happen, but we could never tell if he had a good day or a bad day.

“He was level when he came back.”

Staying level, for the younger Street, is a virtual impossibility today as the 25-year-old American Hockey League journeyman prepares for his first taste of action in the National Hockey League.

As luck would have it, Dr. Street has a day off from his duties at the Vancouver General Hospital so he can watch his boy realize his dream.

In fact, the entire script seems so perfect – so surreal – Ben Street can’t believe this is all actually happening just down the road from where he grew up in Coquitlam, B.C.

“I don’t know what else I would add into it,” said the former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect. “At home, on Hockey Night in Canada, where you grew up – I don’t think there’s anything I could add to it at this point.”

A goal or an assist sure would be nice, especially if Bob Hartley’s lines from practice Friday stick and Street plays between Jiri Hudler and Roman Cervenka.

“This is all about the NHL,” the head coach said of the raw excitement from the newcomer. “You’re a young kid, whether you’re in the U.S., whether you’re in Canada, in Europe. You have a dream to play in the NHL.

“It starts by playing in the street, and then going to the local minor hockey rink, and today, especially on Hockey Day in Canada? It’s not only a great day for Ben Street, but for all the young kids that share the dream of Ben.”

Street replaces the injured Mikael Backlund (knee) in the lineup. LW Michael Cammalleri (hip flexor) will sit out , but is expected to play Monday at home against Minnesota.

Leland Irving draws his second straight start in net for Calgary. Cory Schneider will mind the goal for Vancouver.

vhall@calgaryherald.com