Captain Serious turned into Captain Softie on Friday night when Jonathan Toews teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to give four-year-old Nicholas Skretkowski a night he’ll never forget.
On the eve of the Chicago Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins Stadium Series game at Soldier Field, Nicholas, who made the trip with his parents from Milton, Ontario, got to spend some one-on-one time with his favorite player. Before the two hit the ice, though, Nicholas walked into the Chicago locker room to find his very own stall located next to Toews’ where a black No. 19 jersey with his name on the back was waiting for him.
In their matching black sweaters, the two made their way outside and the pair skated around together before Nicholas did something that many players in the NHL can’t say they’ve done — he scored a few goals on Toews. In addition, the youngster was a part of the team picture taken on the ice at Soldier Field, and he also got his customized jersey signed by every member of the team.
Nicholas, who said his favorite television show is hockey, was diagnosed with a medical condition called Wilms’ tumor and strabismus when he was just 18 months old.
“It was great … not just to be out on the ice with him, but to have him in here with the guys,” Toews said. “He seemed a little shy at first, but then kind of got more comfortable. Someone asked him about his favorite team and his favorite players. He seemed like he knew a lot for a little guy.”
Check out the video below to see the two No. 19’s in action.
