Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes
Val Caron's Ryan Benoit will be in Montreal this weekend living his ultimate dream thanks to the Sunshine Dream Foundation, who were able to make his desire a reality.
The 15-year-old boy has always had a passion for hockey. He loves attending his brother's hockey games as well as keeping tabs on the OHL and NHL.
"He's a real big hockey fanatic," said Benoit's father, Michael.
"Just can't seem to get enough of it."
Benoit, who has cerebral palsy, is a provincial ambassador for Easter Seals and has had the opportunity to meet a lot of players in the OHL and NHL. His goal one day is to be a general manager, preferably for his favourite team the Pittsburgh Penguins
With hockey in his blood, it's been a tradition every year for him and his family to watch the NHL All-Star game on television.
"Every year I say it would be so cool to go there and experience all that. That would be a dream come true," said Benoit.
Now his dream has become a reality.
Thanks to money raised from AMEC's Dan Cacciotti's who organizes an annual Engineers Hockey Tournament, $6,500 was donated to the Sunshine Dream Foundation who were able to grant Benoit's dream.
From Jan. 23-27 Benoit will be in Montreal, where he will be able to watch up close and personal the 2009 NHL All-Star Game.
"I'm very excited!" Benoit said.
The hockey fan received his hockey package from the Sunshine Dream Foundation Friday afternoon at AMEC's office, where he was also introduced to former NHL player Troy Crowder.
Crowder gave him a signed New Jersey Devils jersey and poster and chatted a little bit of hockey talk with Benoit who was grinning from ear to ear. Benoit also received a Sudbury Wolves jersey signed by all the players.
The Sunshine Dream Foundation delivers dreams for children between the ages of 3-19 with life-threatening or long-term illnesses.
"It's amazing to be able to just come in and see the smile on their face and know that you're doing something that means something to them," said president and dream chair Lisa Marier.
This year's annual Engineers Hockey Tournament will be taking place in March, where Cacciotti is hoping more money will be raised to aid in the fulfillment of another child's dream.
In the meantime, this local boy is anxiously awaiting to watch his passion through the glass of the hockey rink, instead of the television screen.
"Dream come true," said Benoit, smiling.
