In an emotionally charged moment, Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price gave a young boy a heartwarming hug while in Toronto for a game against the Maple Leafs.
A video of the encounter depicts 11-year-old Anderson Whitehead, his eyes welling with tears, as he finally meets his hero. The video was posted to Facebook by Anderson's aunt, Tammy Whitehead, and has been viewed more than 4.2 million times.
RELATED: Watch Your Step: Entire Kids’ Hockey Team Adorably Stumbles Onto Ice In Viral Video
“My husband, Paul, has a physiotherapist who worked with the Leafs for many years, so he reached out to see if he still had any contacts that could somehow arrange a meet and greet,” Whitehead told Global News.
She added, “He got them access to the morning skate, which Anderson was thrilled with, but when Price came over to sign his stuff, he was overcome.”
Anderson’s mother, Laura McKay, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she had promised her young son that she would make his dream come true. That is, his dream to meet his idol, NHL goaltender Carey Price. Sadly, she passed away last November at age 45 before she could see that dream become a reality. Anderson was her only child.
Whitehead also shared that Anderson is currently on vacation with his father, but he is absolutely thrilled with all the love he is getting from everywhere. They never imagined this would happen.
Price, who was raised at Anaheim Lake and played hockey in Williams Lake, is famous for his kindness. Several Cariboo Chilcotin non-profit groups have been lucky to benefit from donations of hockey gear from Price, arranged by his father, Jerry. Price teamed up with equipment manufacturer CCM to send thousands of dollars worth of skates, sticks, helmets, pads and all things hockey to youth in the area around Williams Lake, B.C., the town where the Habs superstar got his start. Jerry Price said his son didn't want young players to be held back because of a lack of equipment or old gear that's been passed on too many times.
He is considered to be one of the best goaltenders in the world by many colleagues, fans, The Hockey News, and EA Sports and also one of the greatest goalies in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.
READ NEXT: NHL Stars Play Unforgettable Ice Hockey Game With Kenya’s Only Team
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGiamqqVrnqxvsicnGagpZzAbrLAp2SwoJ9iubC%2F02akqKyYmr9uwM5mmpqmk5q%2FcA%3D%3D