NHL players help send B.C. hockey fan to first playoff game
The friendship between Vancouver Island girl Elsie Simard and Colorado Avalanche forward Alex Newhook is making waves on social media.
Newhook, who's currently playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, used to play junior hockey for the Victoria Grizzlies.
It was in B.C.'s capital where the pair first met.
"I saw her the first time she was there," said Newhook. "Just went down and gave her a little fist bump."
Elsie was born premature, and has spent much of her life in the hospital. But while she was there, she could always count on a visit from Newhook.
According to Elsie's family, the hockey rink would help serve as her equalizer.
"Inside here there are no restrictions. She can be just like anybody else," said her mother, Christie Simard.
Sadly, Elsie and Newhook's friendship took a shift in 2019, when Newhook's junior hockey career ended and Elsie and her mother moved from Victoria to Battleford, Sask.
The pair reunited in March when Elsie's family drove four hours to Edmonton to catch their first NHL game.
The Colorado Avalanche won that game, and Newhook and Elsie got a chance to see each other again. Soon after, word of their friendship took the spotlight.
"My phone blew up," said the girl's mother.
OFF TO THE PLAYOFFS
An online fundraiser was quickly set up, with the purpose of sending Elsie to her first NHL playoff game.
The campaign was a success, and Elsie flew to Denver last week, with other players from the Avalanche pitching in.
"Erik Johnson helped with tickets and accommodation," said Simard.
The team won both its games to move on to the second round of the playoffs, and the Simard family says they were treated like royalty.
But Elsie didn't arrive in Denver empty handed.
She brought the team handmade bars of soap since Newhook is her original "stinky boy."
"We brought stinky hockey boy soap," said Simard.
Elsie's been making a positive impact from her roots in Victoria to Colorado.
"She makes everybody else's world better around her," said Sheryl Williams with the Victoria Grizzlies. "She's a force."
And Newhook agrees.
"She's always been a light in my life," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.