It's been nearly 10 years since hockey player Braden Nienaber had his wish granted by the Washington Capitals.
The then eight-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was fighting Histiocytosis, a life-threatening blood disease that had attacked his bones. Through Canada's Children's Wish Foundation he and his family had simply requested to attend a Capitals home game and skate with Braden Holtby and other Capitals players.
You might ask: why was a kid from Canada a Washington Capitals fan?
It all goes back to when Braden's name twin Braden Holtby lived two doors down from the Nienabers while playing for the Saskatoon Blades. The two became friends and the rest was history.
Braden recalls his wish experience with Holtby and the Capitals with a lot of fondness.
"Looking back on my experience in Washington brings back a lot of life changing memories," he says. "What stands out most is how welcomed and a part of the team I felt."
"We still talk about that experience often," says Braden's mother Tammy. "It was nothing short of a once in a lifetime opportunity that he will never forget."
Watch a part of Braden's favorite day
Fast forward four years later, watching his long-time hero and friend raise the Stanley Cup in 2018 with the Capitals was also something he'll never forget.
"I remember that day like it was yesterday, seeing the guy that made my whole wish come true lift up the Stanley was unreal, I almost felt like I won the cup," Braden said.
A lot has transpired since Braden visited D.C. where he "fought" with Tom Wilson, hung out with Braden Holtby, and participated in a ceremonial puck drop with Alex Ovechkin.
Braden is now just your typical teenage kid and aside from the scars due to his surgeries, you'd never have guessed he was ever sick.
He's had a busy past couple of months graduating high school and signing a contract with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Playing for Humboldt is a huge accomplishment for Braden, as hockey didn't come as easy to him as others. But that never stopped him.
"Braden has had many disappointments in his hockey life. Things never came naturally but he always worked so hard," said Tammy. "We're so proud of him signing with Humboldt and all the emotions that surrounds that team and the fact that it is Kevin (Braden's dad) and my hometown team is just the icing on the cake!"
Braden is equally as excited to play for the Broncos.
"The Broncos have been a team I grew up watching a lot so being able to play for the team I wanted to play for and now have the chance to have other kids like my cousins watch and look up to me is something very special and won't ever take for granted," he said.
To celebrate the signing and graduating high school, his family held a graduation party for him in June, where he was surprised by Tom Wilson with a special congratulations video.
He never saw it coming.
"My head started spinning, it was surreal, I could not believe what was happening," he said. "The only thing going on in my head was, holy, this is really happening."
He went on: "a flood of memories came running to my head that brought out a big smile and a couple tears because Tom Wilson is and will always be a special role model to me on and off the ice. My family made that day special, and Tom made it even more special."
When Tammy reached out to the team in hopes of getting a special video for the party, her and her husband both thought it was a long shot but worth the try. They were elated when they got Tom's video.
"It shows us that the entire Capitals organization care more about their fans than just the publicity they receive from these type of things," she said.
The Caps continued support of Braden and his family means everything to them.
"The tears that Braden didn't even try to hold back after watching that video was proof of that. Once a Caps fan always a Caps fan!" said Tammy.
