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Squamish netminder shares ice time with Vancouver Canucks

Local boy wins Every Kid’s Dream
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Squamish’s Jacob Donner with Canuck Ryan Miller.

It’s just about every hockey player’s dream to share the skating rink with their hero.

And it’s a dream that came true for one Squamish boy, who won the chance to stand beside Ryan Miller, the goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks.

“It was awesome,” said 11-year-old Jacob Donner, who was assured by Miller that if a backup goalie was needed that game, the younger netminder would be first in line.

Donner was one of the winners of Every Kid’s Dream, a competition that gives kids a chance to share some ice time with the team during the very beginning of a game.
This includes walking out onto the ice with the players and standing on the rink with the starting line during the national anthem.

It was a big night for Donner, who plays for the Squamish Eagles and has been playing hockey since he was five. 

But it wasn’t just a landmark for the young player. 

“I was crying obviously on the sidelines,” said Donner’s mother, Victoria Jolley. 

“He’s got his hand on his heart in front of all those people on TV. It was really cool.”

“It was amazing,” said Jolley. 

“I have turned into a crazy hockey mom.”

“It’s always been his dream,” she added.

Donner says he first started playing in the net because a goalie was needed during a game, and he hasn’t looked back since.

The netminder has plans to play in the NHL, and says he will be trying out for the Canucks at the earliest possible opportunity.

As a backup, he may try out for the Florida Panthers because his favourite goalie, Roberto Luongo, is currently on the roster.

Donner says he’s also open to playing with the Edmonton Oilers. 

“Follow your dreams,” he said. 

“Go Canucks, go!”

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