Shirley Dobrescu and her grandsons, Isaiah and Rowen, met NHL player Tyson Barrie at a fundraiser put on by the McMorris Foundation. The family was invited to the event last summer because of their involvement with the Ehrlo Sport Venture (ESV) leagues.
Our Ehrlo Baseball Rookie League players were invited by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to participate in the event alongside celebrity sports figures. After playing baseball together, Tyson struck up a conversation with the family and invited them to come watch him in a hockey game.
Tyson, now a defenceman on the Nashville Predators, was in contact with the family this fall and arranged to fly them to Edmonton. He treated them to a stay in a hotel attached to Rogers Place arena and of course, tickets to the November 3rd game of the Edmonton Oilers versus Nashville Predators.
“We were on the top floor with a beautiful room and view of downtown Edmonton and use of a concierge room where we ate in style! The game was fantastic, with great seats, crazy fans, and a chat with Tyson after the game and the best thing is the Predators won!” said Shirley.
She added that Tyson was kind enough to make sure things ran smoothly throughout the family’s stay.
Shirley added, “The trip from start to finish was a trip of a lifetime and we can't believe what a kind, generous person Tyson is to treat us after chatting briefly at the fundraiser. The boys had the best time ever and it has been hockey night in Canada at our place ever since! We have agreed to keep in touch and stay friends.”
“It is incredible for a relationship like this to develop from one of our programs,” stated Gloria Patrick, ESV manager. “I feel like we need to take a step back and actually look at the connections we can foster, what it means for our families, and the incredible opportunities that we could potentially offer them.”
Isaiah and Rowen have been involved in ESV and the various leagues for several years and Shirley commented that they have been fortunate to have the support the program supplies.
“We have met so many positive caring people and the boys have learned and had so much fun playing a variety of sports. The role models they have and connections we continue to make are sure to have a positive impact on the boys as they grow,” she concluded.
