Maple Leafs meet Kade Foster, 11-year-old boy from viral tweet
One week ago, 11-year-old Kade Foster united the hockey world after his father’s viral tweet explained that no one had attended Kade’s birthday party on Nov. 3. Thousands of people reached out to send Kade well-wishes, including many Toronto Maple Leafs players and fans.
My son Kade had his 11th birthday party last night. None of his invited friends came. That hurt. I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish. @Marner93 @91Tavares @MapleLeafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kn0vP1l6z8
— Jason Foster (@NLWildlife) November 3, 2019
Ahead of Saturday’s nights game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Leafs invited Kade and his family to Toronto to meet his idols, tour the dressing room, and get autographs before morning skate.
According to The Toronto Star, Air Canada paid for the Foster family to fly from Corner Brook, Newfoundland for the weekend, and it marks the first time Kade and his sister, Emily, have ever been on a plane. Air Canada sung Happy Birthday and welcomed Kade onto the flight with balloons.
👋 Kade
We’ve got some very special guests in the house for morning skate!#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Gfc3Ai8fNB— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 9, 2019
Kade wore a Mitch Marner jersey as he toured the grounds of Scotiabank Arena, and got to meet the entire roster for a group photo after the skate.
Meeting the guys.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/MCdvgzLap5
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 9, 2019
Marner has a lifelong supported in Kade, and commented on how the Leafs rallied together to support the young fan when they heard about the birthday party last week.
Mitch Marner said #Leafs group chat immediately got going when they saw Kade's story, knew they wanted to help: "Growing up, those birthday parties mean a lot to you, with all your friends over and usually [there's] pizza and some snacks and I know how much fun that is for kids"
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) November 9, 2019
You can expect that Kade will get a special shoutout during the game Saturday night, and could even get a “happy birthday” song sung by the 10,000 + fans in attendance. It’s turning out to be a birthday young Kade will never forget.
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