A day at the Bell Centre

Samuel’s wish began on Sunday, February 4, 2007 when he and his family checked into the Hyatt Regency Hotel to a room that had been completely decorated by their wish granting volunteers with some of his very favourite things. Delighted by the goodies found in the room, Samuel had to leave as the family was soon picked up in a limousine and taken to the Bell Centre where he was warmly welcomed by two representatives of the Montreal Canadiens! Samuel and his family were to be special guests in the loge of Alex Kovalev!

Samuel’s two favourite RDS Commentateurs Pierre Houde and Yvon Penault made a special visit to the loge just to meet a beaming Samuel. The meeting was recorded on a TV Camera and a copy was given to Samuel.

Samuel had the privilege of sitting in the penalty box with his father during the warm up of the team. To get to it however, he had to go through the visitors locker room to get there. Imagine Samuel’s delight when EVERY Pittsburgh Penguin "high fived" him as they went onto the ice! Back in the loge Samuel and his family had free reign over the delectable menu, and were delighted to be surprised by Youpi who came to visit him in the loge during the game.

After the game (which the Canadiens won!) Samuel and his family were escorted down to the locker room where Steve Bégin was already sitting outside waiting especially for Samuel. The family had a private meeting in the locker room with Steve where both Samuel and his brother, Gabriel got to try on his helmet and chatted with him for about 15 minutes. Chritobal Huet also made a special appearance by coming out to join Steve for a photo with the boys. (Samuel's brother, Gabriel has the same illness and is going to Walt Disney World^®; with Make-A-Wish^® in April) As a proud recipient of the funds from the Jean Béliveau trophy, Samuel presented Mr. Bégin with a thank you recognition frame on behalf of Make-A-Wish for his generous donation.

Steve was very touched and said Make-A-Wish meant a lot to him.

After the meet and greet, the boys waited outside the locker room and virtually every hockey player that came out signed their jerseys, including Canadiens captain, Saku Koivu. Not quite ready to leave the Bell Centre and on a high from an incredible day, the family relaxed at the Cage aux Sports for a dinner with friends before being escorted back to their hotel in the waiting limousine.

Make-A-Wish would like to thank the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Montreal Canadiens Foundation and Mr. Steve Bégin for sharing the power of a wish.

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