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Maple Leafs sign 11-year-old Garrett Gamble to one-day contract, they finally win

Garrett Gamble

On Saturday, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed their youngest player yet: 11-year-old Garrett Gamble.

The team signed the “top-flight prospect” and mega-Leafs fan from Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, for just one day — as the puck-dropper for their game against the Ottawa Senators.

Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan signed off on the special deal. Coach Peter Horachek announced it at a press conference before the game.

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It appears the youngster is quite the negotiator, too:

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Garrett has Mucopolysaccaridosis IVA, or Morquio Syndrome, an incurable developmental disease that affects skeletal development and often leads to early death. His contract was arranged by the Children’s Wish Foundation.

"He’s an unbelievable kid and we love to have him," Leafs center Nazem Kadri told CTVNews.ca. “I know this means the world to him and it means the world to us to be able to pull through for him.”

“He’s got a great energy and he definitely has a positive outlook,” goaltender James Reimer told the National Post. “To see a kid who obviously has some struggles come in here with a big smile on his face and just be pumped about life, it definitely is uplifting.”

When asked what number he wanted on his jersey, Garrett didn’t hesitate to steal one that was already taken: he opted for No. 42, Tyler Bozak’s number.

Bozak agreed to be No. 32 for the night.

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At the pre-game ceremony, former Leafs player and fellow Saskatchewan native Wendel Clark brought Garrett — or “G-Man” — dressed in his number-42 jersey, out to centre ice to drop the puck.

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"We are very proud," Garrett’s father, Garrett Gamble Sr., told CBC News.

"The community is behind us. They really love what happened to Garrett. He is going to be a celebrity when he gets home."

Not only did the Leafs make one little boy’s dream come true, the youngster appeared to do the same for the hockey team. Saturday’s game broke the Leafs’ seven-game losing streak, thanks to a hat trick from Bozak, who wore his temporarily assigned No. 32 jersey.

Garrett earned first star in the Leafs’ overtime win over Ottawa.

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"Today was one of the most fun days that my son has ever had in his whole life," his father said. “Up until now we have been going through just ups and downs. We have two children who have been born with this disability. It’s been one of the happiest days of his life.”

Check out Garrett’s impressive season stats here.