My boy's linemate...Mikael Backlund

[C_Dave45]

Growing up developmentally handicapped, my boy didn't get the same opportunities most of us got. So I missed out on watching him enjoy sports, parties, school teams, etc.
Calgary Special Olympics gives many who are like this a chance to enjoy some of the stuff we all take for granted. My youngest boy scored his first goal, and to him..this is just like being in the pros. His first goal, assisted by Mikael Backlund:

(#17 blue @ 1:00 mark)
http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=533069&catid=11&startTime=60

This weekend we're off to Edmonton for a tournament. Complete with a team bus, TV's, hotel stay and party, and curfew!! LOL. He feels like a Junior A player! May not seem like much to some of you, but to him, this is being on top of the world.

[VWEvo]

Sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing that story with us. I'm glad your little guy gets 'A' treatment this weekend. Enjoy every minute of it.

[jwslam]

:clap: :thumbsup:

:goflames:

[TL911]

:clap: happy for him!

[spikerS]

Dave, knowing you and your son, he deserves every second of it. Come to think of it, every time I have met your son, he was either playing hockey in a video game, or talking up a storm about it. So yeah, I bet he is over the top right now.

Enjoy it!

:clap: :goflames: :clap:

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by spikers
Dave, knowing you and your son, he deserves every second of it. Come to think of it, every time I have met your son, he was either playing hockey in a video game, or talking up a storm about it. So yeah, I bet he is over the top right now.

Enjoy it!

:clap: :goflames: :clap:
Thanks Chris. Yeah, hockey is his life. He watches probably 2 NHL games a night. Plus season ticket holder to the Junior A team. It's so funny, he'll see a college player on TSN, and say "Oh look, there's so-and-so...he got drafted by xyz team, but for now he's playing down in such-and-such a league". He watches all the pre and post game shows and remembers every little detail.
Tells me non-challantly, "I like Chara....btw, he's Boston's 19th captain..." like everyone would know that detail. LOL.
He'll tell me the dirt on what junior players got traded and why, as he talks with many of the guys from the Calgary Canucks off the ice.
This is a kid, who up until a few years ago, couldn't quite grasp the concept of league play at all. No interest in the game. No idea what playoffs were, what wins and losses meant, points etc.
And watching these "special Olympics" players play....you've never seen so many happy faces. After all...that's what it's all about...seeing your kid being happy.

[btimbit]

That's fantastic! Sounds well deserved too. Happy for him.

[btimbit]

That's fantastic! Sounds well deserved too. Happy for him.

[jjmac]

Such an awesome story!


:clap: :clap: :clap:

[civic_stylez]

Sports are a great way to bring people together. I especially like players who truly play a sport for the love of the game, not for the money. Thats awesome to hear and I hop your son has a blast!:thumbsup:

[ZEDGE]

That is awesome! :thumbsup:

[Gary@UrbanX]

That's awesome Dave!

[DENZILDON]

Great to hear that Dave! So happy for your boy!!! :thumbsup: :clap:

[rage2]

Great stuff! :thumbsup:

[BigDL]

Awesome stuff, good to see those kids so happy.

[faiz999]

fantastic story. happy for your kid!

[JRSC00LUDE]

Dave, as a member of The Canadian Progress Club, reading things like this brings a big smile to my face. As you may or may not know, the Special Olympics is our main focus nationally as well as our chapter's local focus here in Saskatoon. It's something we take very seriously and hearing stories like yours, wherever they come from, is exactly why we do the things we do.

This is what it's all about, thanks very much for sharing your story and I humbly tip my hat to you and your son.

:thumbsup: