AMHERST, N.S. – When Amherst Ramblers goaltender Joel Goguen steps onto the ice, Brody Kouwenberg is right there with him.
“It’s awesome to be on the ice with the helmet,” Goguen said. “He watches every game and he’s our number one fan, so when I’m on the ice it feels like he’s out there with us.”
The 19-year-old goaltender first met the Brody when he was the honourary 7th player at a game during last year’s hockey season.
The Kouwenberg’s live in Oxford, and Goguen reached out by calling Brody’s mom Jennifer.
Brody was born with a congenital heart defect that required open-heart surgery moments after he was born. He was given a one per cent chance of survival.
He had pace-maker implanted a few years ago. Without the pace-maker his heart would stop beating.
Today, the eight-year-old is very active in sports, especially in hockey where he’s a forward, and takes every opportunity to give hope to young people with congenital heart defects.
Brody raises money for kids with congenital heart defects and will lead a 5K and 3K Heart-Walk fundraiser Oct. 19 at Dickey Park in Amherst.
Read more on the Cumberland News Now website.