10-year-old 'goalie' brought a handmade sign for his NHL hero. How Dustin Wolf responded made him burst out crying

As a child, there's no greater currency than the acknowledgement of your idols. We have all spent countless hours in the driveway or at a field, mimicking our heroes and imagining how we would act when we crossed paths. While it might not have turned into reality for most of us, on April 14th, inside Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, that exact brand of magic unfolded for a 10-year-old Calgary Flames superfan, Kade Heisler, who had a heartwarming exchange with his favorite goaltender, Dustin Wolf. 

In a clip that has gone viral since, Wolf is seen sending a Flames staff member to hand over his stick to Heisler, after which the young fan bursts into tears. While the 25-year-old has been making headlines for his performances lately, it was his mid-game gesture that struck a chord with the fans after he spotted a big yellow sign that read, "Wolf, you are my idol." Of course, after reading such a sweet message, he couldn't help but show love to his biggest supporter.  

"He’s my favorite goalie because he continues to prove that size isn’t everything, and he’s been able to dominate at elite levels, which gives me confidence,” Heisler said following the game. “And Wolf doesn’t let his size hold him back. He turns it into motivation. Something I relate to and think when I step on the ice." Ever since he was little, Heisler has been a huge hockey fan and even played for the Carstairs Bruins, copying his favorite players' pre-game ritual, until recently when a teammate started to bully him for his small stature. 

So, when he got a thumbs up from his idol and his stick, it meant the world to him. Moreover, this seemingly small gesture from Wolf will help Heisler get back to the ice, as he now hopes to perform just like his idol for U13 Carstairs Renegades. As for Wolf, it was a full-circle moment for him, as he was once a small kid trying to make his dream come true. It was then that he received a stick from his favorite player and NHL legend, Jonathan Quick. 

So, for Wolf, this might not have been just a wholesome gesture after all and a passing-the-baton type of moment. Research shows that most goalies in the NHL tend to be just under 6'3", with the tallest being around 6'6". This puts Wolf, who is 6'0", in the undersized category. Nonetheless, to make things even tougher for him, he is also the lightest goalie in the league, weighing in at just 166 pounds. Despite that, he continues to shine and now has even given young Heisler motivation that if he can do it, so can the young fan. 

As you'd expect, this gesture has only amplified Wolf's fandom amongst the Calgary fans, who have already been in awe of his performances in what is his first season for the team. "Kid's gonna go all the way to the NHL to... A simple act of kindness can make a tremendous impact on a person's life," @martindavis9930 wrote. Meanwhile, @Krellik1981 commented, "Because of that one act of kindness, that kid is now likely to be even more inspired to continue playing hockey. What a legend for giving away his stick and inspiring the next generation!"

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