WISH continued from page 35


In strolled another of his beloved


Hawks, Marian Hossa, who talked to Vinnie and signed his jersey like all the others. After 45 minutes and with our heads spinning from meeting these great players, it was time to head back to our seat for the All-Star game itself. As the first period was about to


begin, Anne Marie from the NHL office, arrived at our seats with another signed stick, this time from Steven Stamkos, who really took a liking to Vinnie. Vinnie waved that All-Star towel every time team Chara scored and especially when Patrick Kane scored or was in on a play. I can’t imagine the million


memories this young man now has running around in his mind. After the game was over, we


VINNIE WITH ZDENO CHÁRA After receiving a huge bag of


All-Star souvenirs, it was back downstairs to meet Dave Keon Jr., son of Dave Keon and an executive with the NHL. Dave Jr. took us for a tour of the dressing rooms and to meet a lot of the players who would be performing that afternoon. He probably met two dozen players including Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Steven Stamkos who took a real interest in Vinnie, as well as Jonathan Quick of LA and many others. It was then off to the dressing


room of Team Chara, where his idol Patrick Kane would be. Patrick was sitting in his stall taping a stick when we walked in. Vinnie’s eyes lit up. Patrick sat him down for a chat and then asked Vinnie to come to the back room where he personally signed a new stick, Chicago Black Hawks hat and a tee shirt, all arranged by the NHL, to help make this 10 year-old boy’s wish become a reality. The smile never left his face while he also met Joffrey Lupul, Brian Campbell and Carey Price.


34 BOUNDER MAGAZINE www.bounder.ca www.bounder.ca


had to say our teary goodbyes and promised to keep in touch. We hoped that our paths would cross somewhere down the road. When I got home that evening,


my son called to tell me James Duthie had just tweeted to his million followers “Best unseen All-Star moments − the wonderful things the players, and especially John Tortorella, did for a Make-A-Wish boy from Chicago.” Oh and by the way, before we


parted ways on that Sunday evening, Vinnie gave me an All-Star jersey and hat but I would not take them unless he signed them. He did and after his signature he penned the number 89. I asked why that number. He told me it was the number Patrick Kane wanted but it was already taken.


I can tell you − that 10 year-old


boy and his family will be with me forever. I have helped raise a lot of money


for the Make A Wish Foundation and I have been involved with a lot of granting of wishes through them as well, but Vinnie’s wish, and his family’s love, are proof to me that people can make a difference in a child’s life. It definitely made a difference in


mine.


BOUNDER MAGAZINE 35


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