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P.A. boy rubs shoulders with hockey hero

Dec 7, 2017 | 4:00 PM

A Prince Albert family had the fortune to meet their favourite hockey players during a very difficult time.

The McDougall family travelled to Edmtonton where five-year-old Emmett had heart surgery at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. The young boy required an aoritic valve repair. On the day before his surgery, Emmett was visited by members of the Edmonton Oilers including Emmett’s favourite player, Connor McDavid.
 
Emmett’s mom Jen McDougall said her son was in complete shock.

 “[Emmett] was so stunned when he saw Connor McDavid walk around the corner and so were we. He was really quiet and really shy, and he had to teach Connor McDavid how to spell his name so he thought that was really cool,” she said.
 
Jen was impressed by the players’ candor.
 
“They just said ‘hey buddy’ and would give him a fist bump,” she said.
 
Emmett was given signed pictures and also had his jersey autographed. Former Raider Leon Draisaitl was also one of Emmett’s visitors. 
 
Jen said she was grateful her son has able to meet the Oilers, but added the visit was good for mom and dad too.

“It took the edge off because [husband] Mark and I weren’t doing overly well at that point, and it honestly made us forget about it for a good solid ten minutes,” she said.