Donning the jersey of your home country at the IIHF World Juniors is a dream that every young hockey player around the world hopes to realize. For Team Canada's Dawson Mercer, this is not lost on him and his teammates, who each had the pleasure of sending a signed Team Canada jersey to someone special over the holidays as a way of letting them know they're a part of Team Canada's 2021 World Junior Chmapionship team.
Mercer, a native of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, decided that his "someone special" was a young man from his hometown named Aiden, who had been diagnosed with Leukemia right before Christmas.
Brandon Petten, Aiden's teacher, took to Twitter late on Tuesday to ensure that Hockey Canada and Dawson Mercer were recognized for their act of kindness, which put a smile on young Aiden's face.
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Mercer, a first-round draft pick by the New Jersey Devils in 2020 (18th overall) also included a hand written message to Aiden on a card provided by VP of Hockey Operations for Hockey Canada, Scott Salmond that read:
Hey buddy, it's Dawson Mercer!
I know you're going through some hard times right now and wanted to reach out to you.
Remember to stay strong and stay close to your family and friends.
Here is a signed jersey from the 2021 World Junior Team Canada!
Keep it up, Aiden & stay strong,
Dawson<\i>
Mercer also included an autograph on the card with a drawing of a hockey stick that says "in this together". What a class act the 19-year-old is and what a great gift for Aiden for the holidays. We wish Aiden all the best in his treatment and hope for a much brighter 2021 for him.
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