WASHINGTON — Members of the Boston Bruins helped bring a grin to the face of one die-hard 8-year-old fan.
Before Tuesday’s game, Liam Fitzgerald, who has Down syndrome, sat on the edge of Boston’s bench and gave each player a fist bump as they skated off the ice following warmups. Each encounter elicited a smile from Liam, who was decked out in Bruins gear.
A video of the event has been viewed more than one million times on YouTube since it was posted Wednesday.
Liam chats with Bergeron before the game! #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/zxrAJSdOR5
— Christine Fitzgerald (@cavannafitz) November 5, 2014
Liam is a big Bruins fan, his mom, Christine Fitzgerald told Boston.com. So much so, that the 8-year-old dressed up as defenseman Adam McQuaid for Halloween in 2013.
When McQuaid found out about his mega fan, he invited Liam and his family to a game in 2013 as well as Tuesday’s game.
In addition to having Down syndrome, Liam was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 4. He beat the cancer after a more than 3-year fight.
Even as Liam battled illness, his passion for the Bruins never wavered, Christine says.
“I can tell you they are the nicest group of guys,” Christine Fitzgerald said of the Bruins.
“The fact that they are these big, tough hockey players who take the time to talk to him. He just beams from ear to ear. It makes you love that team even more.”
Watch the video below:
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