The Chicago Blackhawks wanted to start 2026 in a positive way, preferably with a home victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
No matter the result of the game, they won the hearts of two families that visited the United Center on New Year’s Day.
The Hawks and Make-A-Wish Illinois partnered to give a pair of teens an exclusive Hawks experience, spending the day with the team.
The Hawks ran some shootout drills to close their morning skate. Arvid Söderblom was the goaltender as the skaters prepared show off their stick skills.
First up: No. 98. Nope, not Connor Bedard, even though he was there in a Hawks tracksuit with fellow injured center Frank Nazar. Instead, it was Aubrey Meloy, 13, of Joliet.
Meloy, who has long QT syndrome — a condition that affects the heart’s electrical system — wanted a moment like this her whole life. She still has the stick Tyler Bertuzzi gave her at a previous game, as well as the memory of her touching his hand at the 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.
“It doesn’t even feel real, I don’t even feel like I’m really here,” Meloy said Thursday. “I feel like I’m floating. I’ve watched these guys play hockey on TVs at home, I watch (highlights) during lunch in school and it’s crazy that I’m here with them and they know me now. I feel so grateful and so honored that I get to do that.”
Meloy has used hockey as a way to stay connected to her father, who died from a heart attack in 2018. He played hockey growing up, and the sport has been passed down to the next generation of the family.
Meloy’s brother took her to see the Hawks in person for the first time on Dec. 19, 2023, a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. She’s a competitive figure skater, so she’s used to the rink.
The day at the United Center was much different: pads, sticks, pucks flying everywhere and skates that aren’t exactly meant for the performance spins she’s used to completing. Her initial thoughts about hockey were, well, she was a little confused.
“I didn’t know what was going on at all,” Meloy said. “I was like, it’s a puck.”
Her brother bought her a white Bedard sweater at the game. “Who’s this guy?” was her first thought. After doing her research, Bedard quickly became her favorite Hawks player.
“I was first walking around the United Center (and) I saw this face (everywhere) when we were walking.” Meloy said. “I started watching his videos and I was like, he’s pretty great,”
The energy at the United Center that night was “electric,” Meloy said. The Hawks not only won, but they won the Meloys over.
New Year’s Day 2026 was the cherry on top.
“She’s always going to be a fan, and I am (as well),” said Kristy Meloy, Aubrey’s mom. “We’re going to be reliving this for many months ahead.”
Aubrey collected the puck in front of Bedard, Bertuzzi and the other Hawks to begin her shootout attempt. It was a graceful skate for her, even with all the bulky pads and equipment.
“I’m so used to spinning around and doing jumps and all that and I’m in this heavy gear,” Meloy said. “Once I really got used to it, I was like, oh, OK, this isn’t that bad.”
She glided in her figure skates, sent a shot past Söderblom and scored the goal. Hawks players celebrated with stick taps for the Joliet kid.
“Someone asked me if they think figure skating harder than hockey,” Meloy said. “Now that I’m here, I think hockey is a lot harder.”
Up next was 16-year-old John “JT” Byers, of Keller, Texas. He was born with cystic fibrosis, a condition that once made playing hockey nearly impossible.
After treatment, he now plays for the Dallas Penguins 16U minor team. He attempted a behind-the-back shot on his shootout attempt, so he’s not lacking for confidence in his game.
“(I’ve been practicing that) for about a year and a half, just messing around with it,” Byers said. “I was going for flashy. Didn’t go the safe route. It didn’t turn out well for me, but I’m out here for the fun.”
He’s from Texas but made it abundantly clear that he’s no Stars fan. He dubbed Hockey Hall of Famer Marián Hossa as his favorite Hawks player.
“Where I started, I was originally a forward, I was very defensive because that’s who I am more as a player and (Hossa) matched my game,” Byers said. “I saw him win the Cups, he’s just an amazing player, best two-way player to ever do it.”
In addition to his play, Byers volunteers as a referee and mentor to younger players. He’s grateful to play hockey and wants to give that opportunity to others.
“I tell them how amazing it is and I hope that they can find the love for it the same way I do,” Byers said. “The game truly means a lot to me, and I really love being able to play it.
After overcoming his medical challenges to play the sport, he hopes his story can help children with that same dream.
“I hope it shows kids that no matter what challenges God sets for you in your life that you can overcome them and that you can pursue goals,” Byers said. “Even if it’s harder than other people, it’s about your mindset, not about your physical capabilities.”
The kids enjoyed their dream day with the Hawks. The team enjoyed the fans’ company just as much.
“They were awesome, they had great perspective,” Hawks coach Jeff Blashill said. “I was evaluating their shootout moves in case we need to improve our shootout record.”
Added team captain Nick Foligno: “You ring (the new year) in the right way with with a purposeful day like today, where these kids are going through something way worse than we’ll ever experience and be able to bring joy. Reminds us that there’s more to life and we obviously take (hockey) very seriously, but it is a game at the end of the day and these kids are battling real-life things.”