Niederreiter, Wild team up to make young fan's wish come true

ST. PAUL -- A new player joined the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, but he wasn't a recall from Iowa, or a college prospect whose season just ended, or a deal that somehow went unannounced at last month's NHL Trade Deadline.
His name is Amare Hanson. He's a few weeks shy of his eighth birthday and hails from Bena, Minn., nearly four hours north of Xcel Energy Center.

The scouting report? "He's not too tall. We've got a couple of small guys on our team, so he should fit right in," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau.
Hanson has a heart condition, and thanks to the Minnesota Wild Foundation and Make-A-Wish Minnesota, he got to experience a Wild game day like no other when
Minnesota defeated Nashville
on Saturday.
Before things could get started, Hanson and the Wild had to agree to terms. He signed a one-day contract before morning skate Saturday and received a jersey of his own, HANSON emblazoned over his favorite forward's number: 22.

Now officially a member of the Wild, Hanson and his family took in morning skate, both from the bench and in the stands.

Afterward, Hanson met his favorite player, Nino Niederreiter, and found a locker stall of his own right next to Niederreiter's.

Why is Niederreiter his favorite player?
"Because he scores a lot."
Hanson said Niederreiter taught him the trick to scoring during the team meeting, but wouldn't pass it on. It was top secret, for Wild players' ears only.
After the meeting, Hanson received a new set of hockey gear, just his size. He and his family then waited outside the locker room to receive autographs from players as they went home to relax before Saturday's contest.

After a few hours of rest at his InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel room, it was back to the arena for Amare, now in a custom-tailored suit and a swanky ride from Total Luxury Limousine. As the doors opened at Xcel Energy Center, Niederreiter was waiting.
It seems the secret to scoring isn't all Niederreiter passed on; his sense of style was mirrored on Hanson's much smaller frame. The two strode in on a red carpet, dressed to the nines -- and wearing matching socks.

Instagram from @minnesotawild: Amare and @thelnino22 have matching socks �� @makeawishmn @mnwildfoundation
During the first period, Hanson was featured on the big screen for attending his first Wild game; he could scarcely go anywhere around the arena afterward without being stopped for a picture, high five or even an autograph.
Then, during the first intermission, he rode around the ice on a Zamboni. He said he thought his family could see him atop the ice resurfacer, but he would make sure to wave so they could find him for sure.
Then it was time to sit back, relax, and watch the Wild take on the Predators. In a storybook moment, Niederreiter scored what would ultimately become the game-winning goal -- in front of his newest teammate.
"I told him I'd try my best to score a goal for him, and I'm very happy that I did it," Niederreiter said. "It's definitely very special."

After a busy day and a Wild win, Hanson found himself down by the locker room again, this time to celebrate a big divisional win. Before heading back to the hotel for some well-deserved sleep, Hanson and Niederreiter reunited one last time to say their farewells.
But Hanson may be back soon enough; the Wild is now undefeated with him on the roster and in the stands. "Keep bringing me luck; I need it!" Niederreiter told him as he left the arena.

Related:
- Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Predators 1 - Watch: Niederreiter's game-winner - Boudreau notches 500th win