It鈥檚 just about every hockey player鈥檚 dream to share the skating rink with their hero.
And it鈥檚 a dream that came true for one 麻豆社国产boy, who won the chance to stand beside Ryan Miller, the goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks.
鈥淚t was awesome,鈥� said 11-year-old Jacob Donner, who was assured by Miller that if a backup goalie was needed that game, the younger netminder would be first in line.
Donner was one of the winners of Every Kid鈥檚 Dream, a competition that gives kids a chance to share some ice time with the team during the very beginning of a game.
This includes walking out onto the ice with the players and standing on the rink with the starting line during the national anthem.
It was a big night for Donner, who plays for the 麻豆社国产Eagles and has been playing hockey since he was five.聽
But it wasn鈥檛 just a landmark for the young player.聽
鈥淚 was crying obviously on the sidelines,鈥� said Donner鈥檚 mother, Victoria Jolley.聽
鈥淗e鈥檚 got his hand on his heart in front of all those people on TV. It was really cool.鈥�
鈥淚t was amazing,鈥� said Jolley.聽
鈥淚 have turned into a crazy hockey mom.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 always been his dream,鈥� she added.
Donner says he first started playing in the net because a goalie was needed during a game, and he hasn鈥檛 looked back since.
The netminder has plans to play in the NHL, and says he will be trying out for the Canucks at the earliest possible opportunity.
As a backup, he may try out for the Florida Panthers because his favourite goalie, Roberto Luongo, is currently on the roster.
Donner says he鈥檚 also open to playing with the Edmonton Oilers.聽
鈥淔ollow your dreams,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淕o Canucks, go!鈥�
