SACKVILLE
By Yvette d’Entremont – The Weekly News
It was a definite low point for nine-year-old Benjamin Kerrivan when a teenager ran out of a large crowd and snatched his most prized possession during Sidney Crosby’s recent visit to show off the Stanley Cup.
Like many youngsters, Benjamin is a huge Crosby fan. The Lower Sackville boy’s room is filled with Crosby paraphernalia, and he’s meticulously saving pennies for a trip to Pittsburgh to watch Crosby play with the Penguins.
Benjamin was one of thousands who shadowed Sid the Kid’s every move when he paraded the Stanley Cup through his hometown of Cole Harbour. For Benjamin it was a dream come true when Crosby reached through the crowd, grabbed and signed his hockey trading card before handing it back.
But just as a jubilant Benjamin turned to show his mother his treasure, it was yanked out of his hand by a teenager who quickly tore off into the bustling crowd.
“I heard him screaming and I thought he was freaking out because he didn’t get an autograph. I was upset because obviously that behaviour isn’t acceptable,” said his mother, Tammy Kerrivan. “Then he started screaming ‘Mom, he took my card. Why did he do that?’ His sister Anna sat down and started crying. I was devastated for him.”
Despite the negative experience, Benjamin did enjoy the rest of his day, quietly thanking his mother for bringing him to the event. A highlight that followed the theft of his hockey card occurred when Crosby came down the street in goalie gear for a ball hockey game. Few people realized it was him, but Benjamin did.
“I ran up to him and gave him a high five. I said ‘Have a good game,’ and he said ‘Thank you.’ It was great,” Benjamin said.
His mother’s anger at what happened prompted her to write a letter to the editor in a local newspaper. “He was heartbroken, and part of the reason I wrote the letter was that I was so proud he said thank you for taking me to see Sidney Crosby and the cup, even though that had happened,” she said.
Her letter caught the attention of a television station that broadcast Benjamin’s story. The media exposure caught the eye of Crosby’s mother, who emailed CTV News for Benjamin’s address.
Last week, Benjamin woke up to find a letter addressed to him. The return address was Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux.
“I opened it and there was a letter and a picture signed from Sidney Crosby. I was really excited,” Benjamin said. “It made up for it.”
The signed photograph will go on Benjamin’s wall, and the youngster is planning to send a few thank-you cards out as well. In addition to CTV News anchor Steve Murphy, he wants to thank Mario Lemieux and local sports commentator Harv Stewart.
After hearing about the theft of Benjamin’s signed hockey card, Stewart gave him a newspaper article he had signed by Crosby several years ago.
“It was very sweet of Harv. Benjamin gave it to his sister since he got this (signed photo) because she was starting to get a little green with envy,” his mother joked.
His mother also wanted to pass along her gratitude to Crosby’s mother Trina.
“From one mom to another, I’d like to give her a special thanks,” she said. “She obviously knew how important it was for Benjamin and how upsetting it was for me as a mom to watch him go through that little heartbreak. This story had a very happy ending.”
Thanks for the chuckle.
