For Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford, Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks, Thursday’s practice was just another day at the rink. For Megan Hill, it was a dream come true.
Hill got to join Blackhawks practice as part of the Make-A-Wish program. The 14-year-old has cystic fibrosis.
She plays hockey and skated with the team during practice. She scored on Crawford in a 1-on-1 situation.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Hill said after. “It’s insane. I never thought that this would happen and it did and I got to play with the Chicago Blackhawks. I scored on Corey Crawford.”
The Blackhawks held morning skate at the United Center ahead of Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. Hill’s pure joy at being there helped provide some perspective for the players.
“Someone that gets a chance to come out on the ice and obviously it means a lot to them,” Toews said. “To see that smile...
“We don’t realize what hockey and what the sport means to people. When we see it first hand and it changes people’s lives for the better, I think it makes you feel pretty good. It’s added motivation and obviously you’re pretty grateful you get to play this game, too, so it’s cool to have Megan out there today.”
NHL
Watch some of the highlights from Hill’s time at practice in the video above.
“I was standing between Corey Crawford and Patrick Kane and they were talking to me and each other and it was just another day,” Hill said. “I can’t stop smiling right now.”
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