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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.