Arizona Coyotes host 8-year-old Leighton for Hockey Fights Cancer
Nov 16, 2019, 3:16 PM
She captured our hearts and we know she'll capture yours too.
Get to know our special friend Leighton Accardo, who hasn't let cancer stop her from lacing up her skates. 💜#HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/mc5ihtTnwg
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes made a transaction on Saturday, signing Leighton Accardo to a contract for Hockey Fights Cancer.
Leighton, 8 years old, is a local hockey player who is currently fighting cancer.
A video posted by the Coyotes on social media Saturday showed Leighton with general manager John Chayka, signing with the team.
She also was part of the pre-game on-ice ceremonies.
After sitting on the Coyotes bench for pre-game warmups, Leighton greeted each Arizona player as they went down the tunnel and onto the ice for the national anthems. She also stood on the blue line in skates and a uniform for the anthem along with the starting lineup.
For the ceremonial puck drop, Leighton skated to center ice — most need a carpet to walk out there — and when she went to drop the puck for Arizona captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Calgary captain Mark Giordano, Ekman-Larsson took the puck away to drop it himself and let Leighton take the faceoff with the captain’s hockey stick.
Leighton, of course, won the faceoff.
The Coyotes also wore purple warm-up jerseys for the occasion. November is Hockey Fights Cancer month, where teams throughout the league recognize and stand with those who are battling cancer.
Here are some more of the sights and sounds via the Coyotes’ social media on Leighton’s big day with the team:
Captain @OEL23 insisted Leighton take today’s face-off and he would drop the puck.
She’s a hockey player after all. 💜 pic.twitter.com/k2gWbHtdL3
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
Leighton leads warmies today. 💜#HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/GflSFcEhtO
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
OFFICIAL: #Coyotes sign 8-year-old Leighton Accardo (D). pic.twitter.com/2sZb0wlgUy
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
Leighton said everyone could rub her head for good luck.
But @DerekStepan21 had something even better in mind. #HockeyFightsCancer 💜 pic.twitter.com/MvUbiK9hdu
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 16, 2019
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