ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — 16-year-old Kalen Anderson is a huge hockey fan and player.
Her favorite team is the Washington Capitals, while Right Winger T.J. Oshie is her favorite player.
Anderson, of Calgary, Canada spent Wednesday with the Capitals as well as Oshie, as she joined the team thanks to the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.
She greeted players before they started practice at their Medstar Capitals Iceplex, and even suited a goalie, and joined the players on the ice, a position she used to play.
Doctors diagnosed Kalen with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer back in 2023, at the age of 15.
The cancer prevented her from playing the position full-time due to the number of practices each week.
She switched to the right wing, to follow in Oshi’s skates.
Kalen developed cancer on November 2, 2023, her mother’s birthday. She went into remission on November 8, her father’s birthday.
“Hands down, my daughter is my hero,” said Ken Anderson. “I honestly don’t think I could did what she did. I really don’t.”
Yet, all things must end, like this practice session. But the memories will last a lifetime.
“I haven’t been playing that in awhile. It’s just so nice to be back, and especially with the guys I look up to and stuff. Like, it’s just crazy,” said Kalen.
She also learned sometimes wishes do come true.
Kalen will participate in the ceremonial puck drop ahead of the Thursday’s Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer Night contest against Colorado, and will watch part of the game with Oshie.
