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The Nashville Predators recently released a video about defenceman Mattias Ekholm and his unique pre-game ritual that he shares with his biggest fan, four-year-old Alice.
Ekholm and Alice bonded over the course of many pre-game skates. As the 26-year-old blue liner would flip pucks towards the end boards during warmups, he began noticing a familiar little face excitedly smiling back at him and pointing at where the pucks would hit the glass.
Just like that, an adorable tradition — topped off with a pre-game fist-bump — was born.
“She puts a smile on my face, and hopefully I can do the same,” said Ekholm.
Alice’s mother, Emily Kraft, says her daughter calls Ekholm her friend, and points him out whenever she sees him on the ice or on television.
“She loves it, she looks forward to it. She has to be down here,” said Kraft.
The Predators’ video shows a recent meet-and-greet between Ekholm and (a very shy) Alice and her family, along with a tour of the rink and locker room. He also gave his biggest little fan a signed stick.
Watch the video of the tour and the duo’s sweet story, below.
