Delaney Windigo
APTN National News
TORONTO – Garrett Gamble calls himself the biggest Toronto Maple Leafs fan around and on Saturday, he signed a one day contract with the team he loves.
The announcement was made by Maple Leafs interim head coach Peter Horachek in front of a room full of reporters after the team’s morning skate.
The 11-year old boy put his keen negotiation skills to use and negotiated unlimited access to Coca-Cola as part of his signing bonus.
Garrett and his family travelled from the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation in Saskatchewan to spend three days with the Leafs as part of an initiative by the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“Garrett has long dreamed of dropping the puck at a Maple Leafs game”, said Garrett’s mother, Carrie Sutherland. The family was informed that her son’s wish would be granted about a week ago.
“It’s been very exciting, overwhelming. I had never thought I would experience this, much less my son experiencing it,” said Sutherland.
Garrett first started watching hockey years ago with Sutherland’s late father. “That’s when he became a Leafs fan,” said Sutherland.
Garrett can’t physically play the sport he loves due to his illness. He suffers from a rare condition called Morquio Syndrome, where is body is unable to break down certain sugars. It has left him restricted to a wheelchair and can cause skeletal abnormalities, heart problems, difficulty breathing and early death.
Not one to let his illness put a damper on his mood, Garrett said he was “excited” about meeting some of his favourite players.
According to Garrett, his morning highlight was signing the contract with Shanahan.
Along with his soft drink, Garrett was also given the number 42 jersey with the name ‘G-MAN’ on the back. He was also given a spot in the Leafs dressing room next to his team captain Dion Phaneuf.
“It definitely puts things in perspective and we want him to enjoy this day. So us as players we want to accept him into the room and make sure he really enjoys it,” said Phaneuf.
So far, it’s been a trip of a lifetime.
“He’s always been a fan of the Maple Leafs,” said Sutherland. “Since he was smaller and started talking, he would always talk about hockey”
At game time, fellow Saskatchewanian and Toronto legend Wendel Clark, introduced the team’s newest member on the ice, alongside Garrett prior to the game.
He then fulfilled his contract by dropping the puck for Phaneuf and Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson.
The family finished their weekend in Toronto by visiting Ripley’s aquarium and, of course, the Hockey Hall of Fame.
@delaneywindigo
