At 6-foot-5 and seemingly carved out of granite, Erik Gudbranson is about as imposing a defender as there is in the National Hockey League, but not to Riley Salett.
The 8-year-old girl battling cancer had no fear when it came to spending time with Gudbranson last Wednesday during the Flashes of Hope photo shoot for the seven pediatric cancer heroes the Blue Jackets are recognizing this season as part of its Hockey Fights Cancer campaign.
Salett, her mother Felicia and Gudbranson were fast friends, forming a quick bond in the Blue Jackets Fan Zone while coloring pictures and making friendship bracelets.
“Actually, my friendship bracelet is bang on,” Gudbranson said afterward. “It’s pretty good. That was fun.”
Salett, on the other hand, had a different opinion.
“He needed a lot of help,” she didn’t hesitate to say. “I taught him how to put it on and tie it because he had a lot of trouble.”
Source: Pediatric cancer heroes form quick bond with CBJ players
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