Ice hockey: A child expelled from an NHL game because of a cane

The scene took place last Saturday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, during the warm-up period for the NHL championship game between the Maple Leafs and Montreal (3-2).

Fan of the Canadian and his center player Nick Suzuki (22), the young Hunter Beauparlant had approached the bay window to admire his idol and present him with a sign, as dozens of supporters do before each meeting.

Suzuki had not remained insensitive to the child’s message and, to thank him, had thrown him a puck. But, in the crush, Hunter had been pushed around, his lower lip had been punched, and the puck had ended up in the pocket of another kid looking for memories.

Witness of the sequence, the No 14 of the Canadian had then hastened to autograph one of his canes and to send it to his admirer before taking the pose with him.

Not really. Indeed, a few minutes later, an employee of the ice rink informed the father and his son that it was forbidden to follow the match if they kept the stick, this one being considered as a weapon. Get rid of the object and stay in the stadium? Or keep the stick and go? Steven Beauparlant and his child did not hesitate: they immediately headed for the parking lot before telling their story on social networks.

The publication generated hundreds of reactions, including that of the Montreal Canadiens, who in addition to offering a jersey signed by Suzuki to Hunter, invited them to the Bell Center for an upcoming Habs game.

As for Maple Leafs Sports&Entertainment chief customer officer, Mike Wendling, he asked the dad to contact him privately on Twitter.

Probably to tell him some other good news.