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Hockey coach’s son with Down syndrome sings national anthem, warms hearts (Video)

Roy Sommer is the coach of the Worcester Sharks and the AHL record-holder for most regular-season games coached. He’s also a father of Marley Sommer, his oldest son who has both Downs Syndrome and autism.

‘Mo’, as he’s known, has become an indelible part of the Sharks’ locker room over the years. “He runs around this building; everyone knows Mo,” Roy Sommer told The Hockey News in March. “You see him walking around and how he interacts with everyone. For a guy who doesn’t say much, he says a lot.”

On Wednesday night, Marley was given a chance to sing the national anthem before the Sharks’ game against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The initial plan was to have him sing it on the bench with the team. But he saw the red carpet that was on the ice for the ceremonial puck drop and walked out to it – telling his father to return to the bench, and singing this unforgettable anthem:

That jersey Marely was wearing was a special Autism Awareness sweater that the Sharks wore last season.

As Eric Lindquist of the Sharks communications staff said, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.”