Leafs’ Marner, Tavares planning birthday surprise for 11-year-old fan

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) celebrates a goal with centre John Tavares (91). (Frank Gunn/CP)

Toronto Maple Leafs‘ stars Mitchell Marner and John Tavares are planning a surprise gift for an 11-year-old fan after none of his invited friends showed up to his birthday party.

On Sunday, Jason Foster tweeted a photo of his son, Kade Foster, standing in front of his Leafs-themed birthday cake at his 11th birthday party last night.

“None of his invited friends came,” the tweet read. “I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish.”

Hockey fans across Twitter reached out to say “Happy Birthday” to Kade, including Marner and Tavares who mentioned that the Maple Leafs had a “surprise gift” for the young fan.

Other birthday wishes were sent in by Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, newly-inducted Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser and Star Wars star Mark Hamill.

Jason took to Twitter later in the day on Sunday to thank everyone who sent Kade a message.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” he wrote in the tweet. “He is an amazing son and he will never forget this day.”

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