This fall legions of young fans will sit glued to their TVs, marvelling at the scoring process of a certain Maple Leafs superstar.
For most, it’ll be simple admiration. For a nine-year-old Halton boy, it’ll be so much more.
A plucky lad living with cystic fibrosis, Liam Wilson sees Auston Matthews as his hero and inspiration. A deep-rooted desire to meet #34 has now morphed into what will be an incredibly unique connection between the two, thanks to Make-a-Wish Canada.
Deciding to throw her son’s artistic nature into the dream mix, mom Deana and Make a Wish coordinator Rachelle Courte conspired to have Liam draw some designs for a stick and skates.
Unbeknownst to the local youngster – that is until last week’s (Sept. 14) big reveal at Exit Realty Connect – those sketches will now be used by Guby Customs' Peter ‘Guby’ Gubernator to create matching one-of-a-kind sticks and skates for Liam and Auston.
“I’ve granted about 55 wishes with my time with Make a Wish and Liam’s is one of my favourites. I love how creative it is. It’s very unique from our standard wish,” said Courte, following the much-anticipated announcement in front of well over 100 friends, event sponsors and general well-wishers – the celebration area awash in blue and white.
“When we were doing the wish discovery, Liam said he wanted to meet Auston Matthews, so we were like ‘How can we make this more?’ Every time Liam puts on those skates or sees that stick he’ll remember this moment.
“It’s so emotional. We always say the wish is not a want, it’s a need for those children that are going through so much.”
An ambassador and avid supporter of SickKids – through hospital care kits and this summer’s Superstarrs2SuperheroesII fundraiser – Liam will gift his idol with the equipment during a still-to-be-determined meeting.
It’ll no doubt be a meaningful one for Matthews.
At just three-and-a-half, the would-be star was taken to his first NHL game by uncle Bill, who lost his battle with CF in his early 30s.
“I’m very overwhelmed and very excited for Liam,” said Deana, who according to talk at Saturday’s reveal party has become an inspiration to many of her fellow Milton mothers. Her son has responded well to trikafta over the past two years and is now taking skating lessons, among other activities. “It’s great. Liam totally deserves this.”
A little overwhelmed himself at all the attention, Liam gave a simple “really good” response when asked about his feelings after the Make a Wish announcement.
With pent-up excitement, he used a mini stick to tear into a gift package that included skates, a Matthews jersey and loads of hockey cards.
This followed an emotional video in which Courte read out Liam’s recent letter to Matthews that was equal parts amusing and heart-warming.
For the man tasked with bringing the youngster’s designs to ultimate completion, it’s a labour of love he early awaits.
“To be called by the Make a Wish Foundation to prepare something unique for a unique little kid is… I don’t know the word that my emotions are going through. I’m super happy," said Gubernator.
“He wanted to meet Auston Matthews and now Liam will have something to share with him for the rest of his life.”