Penguins host Make-A-Wish kids at practice

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- No. 66 took the ice with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Dominic Lettrich was given a jersey with his name and Mario Lemieux's number, as one of four Make-A-Wish kids "signed" to special one-day contracts with the Penguins. The 6-year-old joined three No. 87s for an on-ice session after Penguins practice, one being Sidney Crosby.
Steven "Chayce" Taylor and Luke Coughlan wore Crosby's number. Logan Ferriss sported No. 10.
"It's great to have them here," said Crosby, each kid's favorite player. "Hopefully, they had a special day and a great visit. That's what our hope is. It sounds like they're having a lot of fun. They're still out there now, so that's a good sign. … I think it just puts things into perspective.
"Anytime we can do things like this, I think guys are more than willing to be a part of it and do what they can to help. It's a pretty unique thing, a great experience for the kids and a lot of fun for us to be a part of."

Dominic has neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells. Logan, 13, is diagnosed with leukemia. Chayce, 14, has a heart defect called Long QT syndrome. Luke, 17, has battled Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The Penguins are fortunate, coach Mike Sullivan said. In turn, they never take for granted the impact they can have.
"It's an incredible experience for all of us that have an opportunity to share an experience with these kids that are going through a difficult time," Sullivan said. "I think we gain every bit as much fulfillment out of it as they do. … I know it's a huge thrill for our guys. They look forward to this opportunity. It's certainly a privilege from our standpoint to meet these kids.
"It's an unbelievable experience, hopefully for the kids, but every bit as much for us."
It became annualized for the Penguins to grant these wishes under former general manager Jim Rutherford, starting in 2017. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that temporarily came to an end after six were signed on Feb. 15, 2020.
"These kids already faced isolation and difficult times before the pandemic," said Dana Antkowiak, senior manager of marketing and communications at the local Make-A-Wish branch. "Then you add a pandemic on top of that, it's been exceptionally challenging for these families. … For wishes to return to normal, it just means the world to them. It's so impactful on their life."

Three of the four kids are from Canada, which could have made it difficult logistically.
Luke is a native of Shediac, New Brunswick. Chayce is from Edmonton and Logan lives in southwest Ontario. Dominic is from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, located north of Pittsburgh.
Antkowiak credited the Penguins' flexibility for making everything feasible.
"Can't say enough about the relationship we have with the Penguins," Antkowiak said. "Three decades or more, we've been doing experiences like this with them. We're just so grateful."
Breakfast was held in the locker room, where the kids met some of the players and Sullivan.
"It was a really good experience," Logan said. "I was a bit nervous. I didn't do much talking."
The contracts were signed during a press conference with general manager Ron Hextall.
"We're excited to have them as part of our team today," Hextall said. "It's an exciting day for all of our players. I know our players are pumped. … On behalf of the organization, we'd like to welcome all four of you and your families. It's a great honor for us."
A balcony usually reserved for Penguins upper management was made available to the kids and their families during practice. Each had a stall in the locker room, with two located next to forward Jake Guentzel.
"It really means a lot to us to have this opportunity to be a part of a great organization with a lot of great players," Chayce said.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of such a great organization," Luke said. "It's a big locker room. It's crazy to see all those players."
Some Penguins stayed on the ice for about a half hour after practice ended, making sure their newest teammates got the true NHL experience.
"It's great to have the chance to live the dream that we wished for as a kid," defenseman Kris Letang said. "They're not as fortunate as us. To have the chance to live the life of an NHL player for a day, I think it's cool just to see their smile."