“I’ve been a Devils fan for a long time,” said the Kensington native. “I have a whole display in my front yard right now. This is a big deal.”
Mann brought his wife and daughter to Credit Union Place early Monday morning to see players from the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils arrive for Kraft Hockeyville in Summerside.
“It’s pretty special to have this jersey for her. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. This is truly priceless. I never had anything like this in my life. It’s a dream come true and beyond.”
Ten-year-old Van Bernard of Halifax also had his dreams become reality Monday, decked out in Senators swag alongside his uncle Damion Stapledon.
“We surprised him early this morning when we learned we were coming to the game,” said Stapledon.
In August, Van and his family were supposed to head to Toronto for a Blue Jays game, but before the trip he caught pneumonia.
“Van has spinal muscular atrophy, so he catches pneumonia easily. But earlier this week, Van was at a camp where he met a boy from P.E.I. They had tickets to come to the game, but when they found out they wouldn’t be able to make it, they gave Van a call and asked if he wanted to come to Hockeyville,” explained Stapledon.
This is his first time on the Island.
“It’s really cool. I’m excited. I love everything about hockey,” said Van, who plays sledge hockey.
Stapledon said it’s really something to get to share this day with his nephew.
“I’d like to think that I had something to do with his love of the Sens.”
Van adds, “Oh, for sure you did.”
Stapledon continued, “We’ve had a really incredible trip. We drove by the hotel the Senators were staying at and went up to the bus as they were getting on. They all signed his hat and one signed their stick and gave it to Van.”
He added, “His dad and my daughter are back at the hotel right now. It really means something that his father gave up his ticket so I could be here with Van.”
Patricia Wadden was also at the game with her husband Jeff, son Liam and mother-in-law Dorothy.
“This is my first time at an NHL game. It’s really awesome,” said Patricia. “O’Leary is our town and we’re all really proud. They worked hard for this and we love hockey.”
Dorothy added, “This is also my first time at an NHL game. It’s really neat to be here with the family. Firsts are always great, but when you get to share it with your grandchildren, it’s really special.”
