Ontario boy gives passionate pre-game speech to his favourite hockey team
A six-year-old Ontario boy won the opportunity to address his favourite hockey team and video of the passionate pre-game speech has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
OHL team Peterborough Petes held their 'Next Gen' game on Sunday, where kids sign single-day contracts to see what it's like to be part of a professional hockey league.
Six-year-old Callan Perks, who is an avid hockey fan, told CTV News Toronto on Wednesday that when his mom told him about the chance to audition for the event he just "had to win."
After the Peterborough Petes posted Callan's audition video online, it racked up more than 55,000 views in just a few days.
He was then selected as head coach for the Next Gen game.
On Sunday, wearing a suit and tie, Callan, who admits he was slightly nervous, entered the dressing room to give his passionate speech to his hockey idols.
"Hi, this is my speech for tonight," Callan starts off by saying. "Here we go."
"Legends are made every day and you could be one of the greats," Callan says. "We’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win."
"Get in there. That's your puck … We won't let those 67’s get a win in our barn … Let's go!"
At the end of the speech, the players give Callan a loud round of applause.
"I've loved hockey since I was young, so this was a dream come true," Callan said. “When they were looking at me, I was just so excited to be giving them a speech and be in that room."
Since the Peterborough Petes posted the video of Callan’s speech, it has been shared by hundreds of people and it now has nearly 97,000 views on Facebook and 245,000 times on Twitter.
Callan says he has done several television and radio interviews and even appeared on U.S. breakfast show Good Morning America.
"I couldn't believe that one speech could become this famous," Callan said. "I saw myself on TV. I just couldn’t believe I could do that."
While Callan only signed a one-day contract with the Peterborough Petes, he says his days in professional hockey are far from over.
He says he wants to play in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers when he’s older.
"I want to be in the NHL, but when I'm 45, I want to be coach or a general manager. So I will stick with hockey for my whole life."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal government to stop paying B.C. woman for job she doesn’t have
There appears to be an end in sight for the strange predicament of a B.C. woman who was being paid by the federal government for a job she was hired for but never actually did.
The loonie is trading at lows not seen in years. Here's what it means for Canadians
The Canadian dollar is trading against the U.S. dollar at levels not seen since 2020 as the combined pressures of economic outlooks, elections, and energy prices weigh. Here's what you need to know.
Mother of teen victim in mass killing suing Manitoba's child welfare agency
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
Dodgers aim to clinch World Series in Game 5 against Yankees
Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64, first in the NL West during the regular season) vs. New York Yankees (94-68, first in the AL East during the regular season)
Canada's Halloween forecast: Record-setting sweet weather for some, frighteningly frigid conditions for others
Trick-or-treaters will flock to streets across the country Thursday night with the Canadian staple, the parka, covering costumes for some, while others will be treated to mild conditions.
Trudeau's Liberals launching new ads, MPs told in caucus meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced his caucus for the first time Wednesday since rebuffing calls from two dozen Liberals to resign. He seemed to satiate some MPs’ concerns, with a presentation on party campaign strategy that includes rolling out new ads.
'Nature is just amazing': Manitoba dog seen nursing kitten
A long-time animal foster said the recent behaviour of her dog and cat is something she had never witnessed.
Starbucks is making a popular add-on free of charge
Starting next week, Starbucks customers will no longer pay more for this add-on for their orders.
'Not going to play their games,' Singh won't help Tories, Bloc topple the Liberals
Jagmeet Singh says the NDP will not support the Bloc Québécois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Police open homicide probe after body found in Ahuntsic-Cartierville park
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed Wednesday afternoon that they are investigating a homicide after a body was found in the l’Île-de-la-Visitation nature park in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.
-
Trois-Rivieres man keeps Halloween spirit alive year-round
For the past 25 years, Jean-Paul Désilets has fully immersed himself in the spirit of Halloween. The DIY Halloween decor enthusiast has transformed his home in Trois-Rivières into a year-round spooky, magical world—straight out of a Tim Burton movie.
-
Montreal man convicted of child sexual abuse facing new luring charges; police seek more alleged victims
The Montreal police's sexual exploitation unit is once again asking for the public's help in locating potential victims of a convicted sex offender who allegedly reoffended.
Ottawa
-
1 person facing charges following fatal boat crash in eastern Ontario on Victoria Day weekend
A South Frontenac Township man is facing charges, including impaired operation causing death, in connection to a boat crash that killed three people on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario over the Victoria Day long weekend.
-
Two men burned while working in Ottawa apartment building
Two men are being treated for burns after being injured while working at an apartment building in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood.
-
Sarah McLachlan postpones Canada-wide tour with stop in Ottawa
Award-winning Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan will not be performing in Ottawa next week, as she has announced her Canada-wide tour has been postponed.
Northern Ontario
-
North Bay woman sentenced to 7.5 years in 2021 fatal stabbing
A North Bay woman was sentenced this week in connection with the fatal stabbing of Nicholas Nicholls in 2021.
-
Northern Ont. municipalities worry about skyrocketing policing costs
Towns and municipalities in northern Ontario are concerned about the increased costs of Ontario Provincial Police services.
-
Chelmsford residents celebrate $1M lottery win
Daniel and Rita Auger of Chelmsford in Greater Sudbury are celebrating after winning $1 million in the Sept. 17 Encore draw.
Kitchener
-
Wheel detached from van causes fatal 401 crash near Cambridge: OPP
One person has died after police say a wheel detached from a vehicle, causing a crash in the eastbound lanes of the 401 near Cambridge.
-
Woman who pleaded guilty to defrauding doulas pleads guilty to more charges
Kaitlyn Braun, the woman who pleaded guilty to defrauding numerous doulas last year, has pleaded guilty to four additional charges.
-
‘It's as if the bankruptcy never happened’: K-W Symphony says its ready to make a comeback
The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s board of directors says the association has bounced back from bankruptcy.
London
-
London police investigating LHSC's 'past financial practices'
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is being investigated by London Police Service, who LHSC confirmed on Wednesday are looking into ‘past financial practices.’
-
Witness testifies about verbal argument at bush party shooting
Maya Pluchowski told the jury at the bush party murder trial that on July 30 of 2021, she and others hopped into a car driven by one of the accused in the case Emily Altmann.
-
'He intentionally left my son to die': A mother confronts the man who killed her son in a hit-and-run collision
On Wednesday morning Nicholas Burtch, 36, entered a guilty plea at the Simcoe Courthouse to a charge related to failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing death. The 14-year-old boy, whose identity has been protected by the courts, was struck by a pick-up truck.
Windsor
-
Judge to consider past criminal offences in Windsor terrorism trial
Local judge, Justice Maria Carroccia, has ruled previous conduct will be considered when it comes to her final judgement in a Windsor terrorism trial.
-
MPP skeptical over Conservatives plan to distribute $200 cheques
The Doug Ford government plans to provide Ontario taxpayers with a $200 tax-free rebate. Parents will receive an additional $200 cheque for each eligible child.
-
Windsor woman sharing her 3D printing passion to inspire others
If she can dream it, Dora Strelkova can likely make it a reality — as long as there’s a 3D printer nearby.
Barrie
-
Family of man killed in gas station shooting desperate for answers
The family of a gas station worker who was killed earlier this month in Amaranth is pleading for help in finding the person responsible for his murder.
-
Complainant alleges years of control, exploitation in human trafficking case involving married couple
A woman claiming Lauriston and Amber Maloney exploited her while she lived and worked for the Essa Township couple continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the court she was controlled for years.
-
Incentive program attracts new physicians to Huntsville to address shortage in primary care
Amid a critical need for family doctors, the Town of Huntsville is taking steps to attract physicians and tackle the long-standing waitlist for primary care.
Winnipeg
-
'It’s getting out of control': Back lane pain in Winnipeg’s northeast
When the main roads are backed up, some drivers turn to back lanes to bypass traffic. However, residents who live in the city’s East Kildonan neighbourhood say they’re fed up with the makeshift detours down their alleyway.
-
Mother of teen victim in mass killing suing Manitoba's child welfare agency
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
-
Man assaulted with machete, bear spray during unprovoked attack in Winnipeg park
Police say a 44-year-old man was rushed to hospital after an unprovoked attack in a Winnipeg park involving a machete and bear spray.
Atlantic
-
Homeless man in tent deserved same welfare rate as housed people, N.S. lawyer argues
The lawyer for a homeless man who died at a Halifax encampment is arguing in court today that his client's welfare payments should have been as high as those received by people with permanent housing.
-
Sarah McLachlan anniversary tour postponed
Famed Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan is postponing her 30th Anniversary tour of “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy” due to health concerns.
-
Major traffic back-ups near Halifax Wednesday morning due to multiple collisions
Collisions on both bridges spanning the Halifax Harbour led to traffic troubles for commuters Wednesday morning.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador cautioned about growing debt as province touts success
Newfoundland and Labrador's auditor general has issued a warning about the province's financial position as the government announced it would finish the 2024-25 fiscal year with a higher-than-expected deficit.
-
Police charge off-duty Newfoundland RCMP officer with impaired driving
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador have charged an off-duty RCMP officer for allegedly driving while impaired, following a crash on Sunday.
-
Human remains found in ocean near Placentia Bay ID'd as missing Coast Guard employee
The human remains recovered off Placentia Bay, N.L., earlier this month have been identified as the coast guard employee who went missing at sea in September.
Edmonton
-
'To protect our children': Alberta unveils new bill aimed at child-care sector
The Alberta government is looking to increase oversight of the child-care sector.
-
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE More than a dozen workers exposed to asbestos in Edmonton public schools last year
Hundreds of pages of documents detailing potential asbestos exposures at Edmonton’s largest school division reveal human error led to more than a dozen worker exposures last year.
-
Edmonton transit needs more hours, new routes and renovated buses: report
As Edmonton's population booms, so has demand on the city's transit system.
Calgary
-
'To protect our children': Alberta unveils new bill aimed at child-care sector
The Alberta government is looking to increase oversight of the child-care sector.
-
RCMP warn against harassment following racial tirade toward Uber driver caught on camera
A Calgary Uber driver is alerting others about a racially motivated incident that occurred in his vehicle last month, following a pick-up of a passenger. It was all caught on camera.
-
Calgary Council puts Calgary Supervised Consumption Site decision back on province
A decision about whether to close the Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) in Calgary's Beltline is back in the hands of the Alberta government.
Regina
-
Sask. Party avoids NDP sweep in Saskatoon with Ken Cheveldayoff win
The Saskatchewan Party has avoided being swept off the map by the NDP in Saskatoon with CTV News confirming that Ken Cheveldayoff has been re-elected in Saskatoon Willowgrove.
-
Meet a Saskatchewan ghost hunter
Halloween is a time for many to share ghost stories and explore haunted houses, but for one Saskatchewan man, it's spooky season all year round.
-
Mail-in ballots counted in Elections Saskatchewan's second preliminary count
With two races in the provincial election too close to call on Monday, all eyes were on the Conexus Arts Centre as Elections Saskatchewan held a second count of the ballots that included mail-in ballots.
Saskatoon
-
'The rules are clear': Sask. First Nations leaders say Cameron not eligible to run for FSIN Chief
Delegates from 74 Saskatchewan First Nations head to the polls on Thursday to elect a new chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).
-
Meet a Saskatchewan ghost hunter
Halloween is a time for many to share ghost stories and explore haunted houses, but for one Saskatchewan man, it's spooky season all year round.
-
'I saw people outside by themselves': Saskatoon boy helps those in need
A 9-year-old Saskatoon boy is taking on a project to help the city’s homeless. It started out with a lot of work collecting recycled cans and bottles, it has turned into a labour of love.
Vancouver
-
American interest in Canadian real estate peaks ahead of U.S. election: report
With Americans set to elect a new president Tuesday, new data shows there's a spike in interest in Canadian real estate.
-
Stroke survivors, other patients benefit from new high-tech rehab in Fraser Health
Rehab after suffering a stroke or experiencing another debilitating condition can be gruelling, but Fraser Health has two new robotic tools it hopes can improve patient outcomes.
-
Seller ordered to return buyer's $1.5M deposit for 2 Vancouver teardowns at centre of fraud litigation
The owner of a pair of teardown homes in Vancouver's rapidly redeveloping Oakridge neighbourhood has been ordered to refund a would-be buyer's deposit of $1.5 million.
Vancouver Island
-
Federal government to stop paying B.C. woman for job she doesn’t have
There appears to be an end in sight for the strange predicament of a B.C. woman who was being paid by the federal government for a job she was hired for but never actually did.
-
3 dead after Vancouver Island house fire, including man who tried to save others
Three people were found dead after a fire tore through a rental home on Vancouver Island earlier this week. Investigators believe one of the victims initially escaped the blaze, but ran back inside to rescue others before he succumbed to smoke inhalation.
-
Film wars heat up as B.C., California pitch duelling tax credits
The bright lights of Hollywood have lost some of their lustre as the film industry struggles to find its footing in an era of streaming and following a period of extended labour strife. The slowdown also extends to Hollywood North.
