A Centre-Ice Surprise for Dylan

SARNIA, ON -  “That was it. He was hooked,” Dylan’s mother Monique says, remembering when her son saw a TV special about Canada’s Sledge Hockey team, and their quest for gold at the Paralympics.

Fast-forward a few years and Dylan, now 14, is working hard to make it onto the national sledge hockey team himself. He enjoys all kinds of sports, but right from the start, “he loved everything about this game.”  Dylan has limited use of the left side of his body due to cerebral palsy, but with determination and a lot of practice he continues to improve his sledge hockey skills.

Monique wanted to surprise her son with some top-class equipment to support his goals. With the help of her local Sunshine Chapter, she found lots of people willing to help make Dylan’s dream come true - and to do it in style.

One Friday night, Dylan and his mom went to see his hometown favourites the Sarnia Sting, who were playing a home game. Dylan didn’t know what to think when he was called out onto the ice during intermission. Waiting there to greet him in a special dream presentation ceremony was Team Canada’s Paralympic goaltender, Paul Rosen. Dylan looked on in awe as his hero pulled off his jersey and helped the teen put it on himself. While his family and the whole arena watched, Dylan was also presented with a brand new custom-fitted “Razor” hockey sled, plus new picks and sticks to go with it.