Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Matt Martin is back in New York City (where he played for the Islanders) for a portion of his offseason this summer, and was at the NHL Store on Monday with a special, surprise gift for a family.
United States Army veteran Chris Ellis, his wife Kerry and their daughter Bree Lynn were the family visiting the NHL Store, and got many awesome gifts from Martin, including a jersey and some memorabilia. But the most special gift of all was yet to come.
The Matt Martin Foundation, the American Humane and Tito’s Vodka teamed up to present the family with a service dog to help the family out named Lex.
Martin got to know the family, and shared the memorable day with them as they met their new service dog, which they will bring back to their home with them in North Wendell, Carolina.
Bree Lynn just happened to be celebrating her ninth birthday on Monday, and we imagine a lifelong friend in Lex is the best birthday present of all.
Martin took questions from the media at the end of the day, and was asked what he thought of the prospect of having an old teammate of his in Toronto.
(H/T @NHL)
