Blue Jackets fan fills in for Foligno, hugs Merzlikins through glass

The Columbus Blue Jackets are without a captain after trading forward Nick Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs last month, but 10-year-old fan Joslyn Snyder is ready to fill the role.

She already has taken over one of Foligno's former responsibilities: hugging goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
Before a game against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, which she attended with her mother Josie, father Rick and older sister Jacey, Joslyn held up a sign that read "Hey Elvis! I'm available for post game hugs!" The sign also featured a red heart at the bottom.
The sign caught Merzlikins' eye and he skated over for as close to a hug as you can get with a glass board between you.

"It was surprising," Joslyn, who plays youth hockey for the Newark Generals in Ohio, told NHL.com. "I didn't really expect it. He was stretching and getting ready and he came over for a hug."
Merzlikins, Joslyn's favorite player, and Foligno had a long-running tradition of big, leaping, post-game hugs before the trade. After a 41-save shutout against the Red Wings 10 days ago, Merzlikins, without his partner, hugged the air.
The Blue Jackets were very happy to see their goalie get a substitute hugger in Joslyn.

"I think that epitomized how the fans feel without (Foligno). We miss him," Josie Snyder said. "(Merlikins) is a super-engaging guy. He's always interacting with fans. Now that (Foligno) is gone, he really is the heart of the team."
Luckily, on Friday at Nationwide Arena, a potential future captain was there to pick up the slack.