Calgary boy gets wish granted, becomes Winnipeg Jet for two days
Posted Mar 24, 2016 2:11 pm.
Last Updated Mar 24, 2016 2:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea in Alberta, but for one young local Winnipeg Jets fan, becoming a player for that team was his dream, and it came true thanks to the team and Make a Wish Southern Alberta.
Ten-year-old Connolly Gamble has had a tough year.
His brother got a concussion in spring hockey last year and was asked to take part in a concussion research study at Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Connolly was brought in as a healthy control subject, but during the MRI, it was discovered he had hydrocephalus, a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord, as well as a low-grade tumour on his brain stem and neurofibromatosis type 1.
As a result, he had brain surgery on Sept. 22, 2015, and was forced to sit out the entire hockey season, a sport his mother Aisling says he loves “more than anything.”
She told 660 NEWS Connolly had positive MRI results in February, meaning he was given the green light to play, as long as he continues to improve.
She added, his condition will also be something that has to be monitored.
As a result, Make-A-Wish Southern Alberta felt it was only appropriate to grant his wish of being part of the Jets roster for the day.
His family packed up and headed to the Manitoba capital where they were met at the airport with jerseys, handed to them by the one and only Mick E. Moose – the Jets’ team mascot.
From there, the grade five student became C. Gamble, #17, and was signed to a two-day contract with the NHL.
“It was a pretty amazing time,” Connolly said. “I got signatures from the Jets, Adam Lowry’s is pretty big. I got to be the first star, I got to ride the zamboni and I got to be on the same [hotel] floor as the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks.”
“It was pretty amazing but it was kind of scary. Fifteen thousand people in the MTS Centre when I was being the first star of the game,” he admitted.
Connolly was given the chance to take part in a practice and even got the chance to score on net. He was also given the chance to play and spend time with Adam Lowry.
“I like Adam Lowry, and all the Jets, but especially Adam Lowry,” Connolley said. “I’ve liked him since he played with the Swift Current Broncos.”
He plans on spreading his love of the Manitoba team to the rest of his friends in northwest Calgary.
“[Head coach] Paul Maurice said this is the kid who will be the one for the Jets,” he said, smiling.
In terms of souvenirs, he left with a few signed sticks, a signed jersey and a lifetime full of memories.
And he’s already thinking of his next wish – that Winnipeg makes the playoffs next sesaon.
“They can make the playoffs, I know if they did it last year, they can do it next year.”
For photos of Connolly’s trip, visit our Facebook page.
