The 2018 NHL season is one Alex Ovechkin can celebrate for the rest of his life. But, did you know that when the captain of the Washington Capitals reflects back on the season as a whole, there’s a moment just as thrilling as when he hoisted the Stanley Cup above his head?

In October, Ovechkin left 13-year-old cancer survivor Alex Luey jaw-dropped by inviting him to a game on Hockey Fights Cancer night. Ovi delivered the surprise on video, but the two developed a heartwarming bond on game night.

Luey beat osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that resides in the bone, and in the process, had part of his right leg amputated. However, the passionate hockey player from Niagara Falls wouldn’t quit on his sport. So, he relearned how to skate on a prosthetic leg, which captivated Ovechkin and the rest of the Capitals.

 

 

Prior to the game, Luey was welcomed into the locker room, where he announced the starting lineup to the very enthusiastic team.

 

 

That’s when Ovechkin said that if he scored a goal, he would dedicate it to the teen. Ovi didn’t put the puck into the back of the net just once. He surpassed expectations, and did it three times to lead the team to a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, it wasn’t the NHL star’s night to receive Player of the Game honors. It was Luey’s.

 

 

Ovechkin also brought Luey out to address the eager media.

“I could not have asked for anything more,” Luey said with Ovechkin’s left arm draped around him. “I will never forget this night. Never.”

 

 

To cap off the thrilling evening, Ovechkin signed his stick, gloves and helmet for Luey, and posed for countless pictures.

 

 

So, while Ovechkin can relish in a job well done on the ice, he can also take pride in the fact that he made a huge difference in the life of a boy who has already been through so much. And that’s worth celebrating, too.