A young fan has penned a letter to thank his "hero," Montreal Canadiens star goalie Carey Price, for giving him the "memory of a lifetime" when he posed for an on-ice selfie last Saturday.
In the heartwarming note obtained by CTV News, 9-year-old Justin said that he always admired the 27-year-old goaltender, but Price's actions on Saturday showed him what it means to be "true hero."
"A hero is a person who is not only admired for (their) outstanding achievements, but also has kind qualities," Justin wrote in the letter.
"This story is … proof that a true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but the strength of his heart," he added.
Price -- a favourite for the Vezina Trophy and a leading candidate for league MVP – noticed Justin in a Canadiens jersey and cap along the boards during the third period of a matchup between the Habs and the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in New York.
The goaltender proceeded to skate over, raise his mask and lean in for the adorable photo.
It was a moment that Justin says he will continue to "replay in (his) head" over and over.
"You gave me a memory that will last a lifetime, and there is nothing more kind for a young hockey fan like me, than that." Justin said.
Read Justin's letter in full below:
To My Hero Price,
I have always considered you my hero, but it was only yesterday that I thought long and hard on what a hero means to me.
A hero is a person who is not only admired for their outstanding achievements but also has kind qualities.
You Mr. Price, have both.
Our family travelled to NYC for the game on Saturday night. I tried to take a selfie with you. You noticed this and gave me the memory of a lifetime.
You leaned in and posed with me for my selfie during a very intense game and I wanted to say thank you.
Thank you for being the kind person that I had always believed you were.
Who knew that one selfie would be captured by a cameraman during the timeout and make so many headlines? But it did!
The story went viral and since then we have been contacted by ‎several different radio and TV sports stations for interviews.
This story is really not about me. I am no different than any of your other millions of fans. This story is about you, and the proof that a true hero isn't ‎measured by the size of his strengths, but by the strength of his heart.
Carey, the truth is, that you were my hero before Saturday night and now you may very well be a hero and inspiration to many other fans out there who often need to believe in the power of a single moment.
A single moment that will forever replay in my mind and possibly the minds of every young fan who feels that they were a part of one boy’s “selfie."
Because it could have been anyone posing with you.
It may have been my "selfie," but by no means does it have anything to do with myself.
So Mr. Price, thank you for proving to me that your skills on the ice are only second to the kindness of your ‎behavior!
You gave me a memory that will last a lifetime and there is nothing more kind for a young hockey fan like me, than that.
