The Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their youth with a top-flight prospect on Saturday, signing 11-year-old Garrett Gamble to a one-day contract as a puck dropper for their game against the Ottawa Senators.

The pride of Duck Lake, Sask. is a die-hard Leafs fan with Mucopolysaccaridosis IVA, more commonly known as Morquio Syndrome. The developmental disease affects the body's ability to break down molecules needed for tissue and bone growth.

Leafs general manager Dave Nonis closed the deal with Gamble's agents (i.e. his parents) Saturday morning, inking him to what the Leafs called a "max contract under the cap" with a signing bonus of "unlimited Coca-Cola."

Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan signed off on the deal, and coach Peter Horachek announced it at a press conference at the pre-game skate.

"He's an unbelievable kid and we love to have him," Leafs center Nazem Kadri said. "I know this means the world to him and it means the world to us to be able to pull through for him."

"It's uplifting," added goalie James Reimer.

Gamble wore Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak's No. 42 during the pre-game ceremony at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night. Leafs legend Wendel Clark brought Gamble out to center ice to drop the ceremonial puck for Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf and Senators captain Erik Karlsson.

The Gamble signing proved to be a much-needed shot in the arm for the Leafs, who are in the midst of one of their most disastrous seasons in team history. Toronto snapped a seven-game losing streak on Saturday thanks to a hat trick from Bozak, who wore Gamble's No. 42 in the game.

Bozak had three goals in regulation time to help the Leafs come from behind and force overtime against the Senators. He later assisted on Eric Brewer's OT goal to secure the 4-3 win for Toronto.

After the game, Phaneuf gave Gamble the puck from the game-winning goal. Bozak then brought Gamble out on the ice as the first star of the night.

Morquio Syndrome causes patients to grow at a much slower rate and can significantly reduce lifespan.

There is no cure for the disease.