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Maple Leafs, hockey Twitter help lonely fan celebrate 11th birthday
The hockey Twitterverse is too often a realm filled with negativity and bickering, but on Sunday, it became a community of love and support.
Jason Foster posted a photo of his son, Kade, standing in front of a custom Toronto Maple Leafs cake featuring Mitch Marner and John Tavares, alongside a message that none of his son’s friends showed up to his 11th birthday party on Saturday night. The tweet concluded with Jason asking his Twitter friends to send birthday wishes to Kade.
My son Kade had his 11th birthday party last night. None of his invited friends came. That hurt. I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish. @Marner93 @91Tavares @MapleLeafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kn0vP1l6z8
— Jason Foster (@NLWildlife) November 3, 2019
And boy oh boy, did the hockey world deliver. Marner and Tavares both gave Kade a shout-out and hinted that they have a surprise in store for their young fan.
Wanted to wish my friend Kade a Happy 11th Birthday! Your friends from the Maple Leafs have a surprise gift coming your way! @91Tavares @MapleLeafs https://t.co/tmM8rBx1aY
— Mitchell Marner (@Marner93) November 3, 2019
Happy 11th Birthday Kade! All your friends on the team look forward to celebrating with you. I’m hearing it’s going to be quite the surprise. @Marner93 @MapleLeafs https://t.co/knidhCar7G
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) November 3, 2019
Kade also received an outpouring of well-wishes from other players, teams, members of the media, and fans.
Happy birthday Kade ! #glg
— Auston Matthews (@AM34) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday ya beast!! 💪🏻
— morgan rielly (@mriles4) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday Kade! It’s okay that I’m not on your cake, those two guys are pretty good too. Hope you have a good day buddy
— John Scott (@johnscott_32) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday Kade! Love the cake:)
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday Kade!
Love the cake 🎂— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 3, 2019
Happy Birthday Kade! Sweeeeeet cake. We know those guys.
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday Kade! From your friends in NC 👊
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 3, 2019
Hey Kade, Happy Birthday buddy! 🎂🏒 We want to treat you to one of our #Beauts games here in Buffalo this season. We’d love to have you and your family attend! Please send us a DM and we’ll make this happen. Our players would love to meet you! 😊
— Buffalo Beauts (@BuffaloBeauts) November 3, 2019
Have a Holy Mackinaw Birthday Kade. Your Leafs delivered the birthday gift last night although it took 11 shootout rounds to wrap it up!!! https://t.co/yPNInrXVLf
— Joe Bowen (@BonsieTweets) November 3, 2019
Happy Birthday Kade!!! Gonna be your year, buddy.
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) November 3, 2019
Happy birthday Kade! Your Leafs won, your friends here wish you a happy birthday and nothing is more important than your family. Have a fun year!! https://t.co/uzqJMFZ0Qk
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) November 3, 2019
You’re the man Kade. Happy birthday buddy.
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) November 3, 2019
Kade! Next time I'm in your area- I will message you and we can get together and talk Leafs!
Happy birthday. I had some "poorly attended" parties in my day as well! https://t.co/y5rOTVEbc2— Michael Landsberg (@heylandsberg) November 3, 2019
His father later sent out a tweet expressing his gratitude to everyone for making his son’s birthday such a special one.
We can’t comprehend what has happened today. Kade and the rest of us are just amazed. To EVERYONE who sent Kade a message - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. He is an amazing son and he will never forget this day. @MapleLeafs @Marner93 @91Tavares @NLGrowlers
— Jason Foster (@NLWildlife) November 3, 2019
Now that is how hockey Twitter should be used.
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