25 Courage Beyond the Ice

Back in February, a friend who plays ice hockey suggested we come along to watch one of the Cardiff Canucks games one Sunday evening. We weren’t sure how Paige and Mason would cope with the late night, after all, it’s not exactly a typical wind-down for the weekend. But from the very first face-off, they were hooked. 

We hadn’t expected the energy, the noise, or the sheer buzz of the arena. By halfway through that first game, the kids were up on their feet, roaring for the Canucks and dancing along to the music between plays. What we thought would be a one-off visit quickly became a bit of a Sunday ritual, making sure our Sunday evenings were always free so we could be at each game. 

Then came something truly special. Ahead of the Canucks’ quarter-final playoff game against the Haringey Huskies, a huge moment in their very first season, Mason was invited to meet the team. We arrived early and were warmly welcomed by Manager & Head Coach Trevor Hendrikx, who led us into the players’ dressing room as they geared up for the night. Mason was a little wide-eyed at first, but his nerves gave way to excitement when he was presented with a signed game jersey and hockey sticks from the players. 

Trevor had shared a little about Mason’s story with the team, and I took the opportunity to tell them how much it meant to us as parents to see their efforts off the ice. Between plays, the players go out of their way to connect with the young fans, high fives, fist bumps, smiles and we could see how much of a difference it made. For Mason, after everything he’s been through, those moments light him up. Watching him jumping in his seat, singing, and shouting encouragement is a gift we don’t take for granted. 

That night, Mason even worked up the courage to go around the dressing room, wishing every player good luck with a fist bump. But the highlight came just before the game started, when he was given the honour of “dropping the puck.” Standing in the box, he walked out onto the ice for a photo with both team captains. As the commentator introduced him, speaking briefly about his journey, his battle, and how he was representing children still going through the fight, I felt a lump in my throat. The words were moving, the applause was heartfelt and it was one of those moments that stays with you forever. 

Without diving too much into the play-by-play, it was the most electrifying game we’ve ever watched, the kind that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Cardiff fought relentlessly, clawing back from 2–0 down to snatch victory in overtime. 

As a parent, I know how much it means for Mason to have strong role models who fight. When he was just one, he spent just short of a year in cancer treatment, showing a resilience no child should need so early. Seeing players dig deep, rally from setbacks, and refuse to quit reflects that same spirit and I can see how much it inspires him. 

The bond between player and supporter is something special. When a player offers a fist bump or takes a moment to chat, it tells Mason: you matter, you belong here. After everything he’s been through, those moments help rebuild his confidence and remind him he’s part of something bigger than himself. 

Just a few days later, we saw how those moments with the team had helped Mason face something entirely new. It was his first time knowingly, attempting a scan without a general anaesthetic, with only numbing cream and Tegaderm applied to his hands and feet. A big deal for a 5 year old. He was brave enough to walk off with the nurses on his own, letting them prepare him to install a cannular while he tried to steady his shaking legs. 

Finding a vein proved difficult, several attempts in both arms, with tears and screams but he didn’t back down. He handled the radioactive tracer injection brilliantly and stayed perfectly still in the PET scanner for the full duration. We couldn’t help but feel that the courage and self-belief he’d absorbed from those Sunday nights had helped carry him through. 

A few days after the game, I was moved to receive a message from the Huskies congratulating Mason on his courageous journey. After such a challenging match, I wasn’t expecting this, and it felt like a heartfelt example of true sportsmanship and kindness. 

I think that... when we lift each other up, even the toughest challenges feel a little easier to face.