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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.