WINNIPEG – A chance sighting has led to a second encounter for one young fan of the Manitoba Moose.
Ivan was just five years old when he first met Moose forward Nic Petan. The pair met through the autism program at the St. Amant Centre. That was two years ago, but it clearly had an impact on young Ivan.
Just last week, Ivan was shown on the big screen at a Moose game with a homemade sign that read “Petan Remember Ivan?”
Petan apparently remembered the meeting vividly.
“In warm-ups I saw a sign,” Petan said. “I looked over and I saw Ivan and I remembered him from two years ago.”
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One thing led to another and Ivan and his family were invited back, to come down and see one of his hockey heroes after the game.
“How long have you been playing hockey ?” asked Ivan during the post game meet and greet.
“Since I was three. A long time, yeah,” Petan responded.
WATCH: Nic Petan Meet & Greet with Ivan
“I’ve always had kind of a strong interest in the autism clinic,” Petan said. “Since my first year I’ve always kinda asked about it, and kinda like to go and see the different things that go on in places like that.”
And now Petan has a life long fan. Nic is expecting to see Ivan back in the crowd on Saturday for the team’s Autism Awareness game.
“For a little guy like that who loves the Moose and loves coming to hockey games along with his family… you want to reward them with anything that I can do to make their day better.”
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